Humpback Whale Mother May Have Mourned Her Dead Calf for Days

Humpback whale mother may have mourned her dead calf for days

Researchers observed a humpback whale mother staying beside her presumed stillborn calf for hours and possibly days off Australia’s Gold Coast. She maintained eye contact and remained close to the calf in behavior resembling caregiving and nurturing. Scientists say the rare observation may provide new insight into grief, maternal attachment, and emotional complexity in humpback whales.

Humpback Whale Mother Keeps Vigil Beside Her Stillborn Calf

Scientists have documented for the first time a humpback whale mother attending her stillborn calf off Australia, touching and staying beside the body for hours and possibly days.

Mother Humpback Whale Grieves for Days Over Her Dead Calf

7 Title: Rare Sighting of Mother Humpback Whale Staying with Dead Calf Sparks New Research Introduction: Researchers from Griffith University and the SeaWorld Foundation recently observed a rare behavior in humpback whales that sheds light on how these majestic creatures respond to loss. In 2025, a female humpback whale, believed to have given birth to [...]