Humpback whale apparently grieves stillborn calf in rare footage

fresh no ads Humpback whale apparently grieves stillborn calf in rare footage | Philstar.com Philstar.comHOMEHeadlinesOpinionNationWorldBusinessSportsEntertainmentLifestyleEventsOther SectionsThe Philippine StarPilipino Star NgayonHOMEBansaMetroProbinsiyaOpinyonPalaroShowbizTrue ConfessionsDr. LoveLitra-talkKutobKomiksThe FreemanHOMECebu NewsOpinionMetro CebuRegionCebu BusinessCebu SportsCebu LifestyleCebu EntertainmentPang-MasaHOMEPolice MetroPunto MoPang MoviesPM SportsPara ManaloPara MalibangBanatHOMEBalitaOpinyonKalingawanShowbizPalaroImong KapalaranPunsoyInteraksyonHOMETrends + SpotlightsPolitics + IssuesCelebritiesHobbies + InterestsRumor Cop MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2026 BUDHI THE FILIPINO SPOTLIGHT PINOY POP EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS ARTS AND CULTURE THE BUDGETARIAN BUSINESS LIFE FASHION AND BEAUTY FOOD HEALTH AND FAMILY ON THE RADAR PETS TRAVEL SHOPPING MODERN LIVING GADGETS SUPPORT PHILSTAR About Us | Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy | Member Agreement | Copyright Notice Copyright © 2026. Philstar Global Corp. All Rights Reserved My Profile Sign Out Subscribe Subscribe HOME HEADLINES OPINION NATION WORLD BUSINESS SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT LIFESTYLE EVENTS COUPONS OTHER SECTIONS X MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2026BUDHITHE FILIPINO SPOTLIGHTPINOY POPEVENTS AND HAPPENINGS ARTS AND CULTURETHE BUDGETARIANBUSINESS LIFEFASHION AND BEAUTYFOODHEALTH AND FAMILYON THE RADARPETSTRAVELSHOPPINGMODERN LIVINGGADGETS Pet Life Humpback whale apparently grieves stillborn calf in rare footage Agence France-PresseSeptember 17, 2026 | 8:21am The tail of a South Pacific humpback whale is spotted on the Pacific Ocean’s surface as it migrates southbound, off the coast of Cabo Blanco, in northern Peru on October 1, 2015. Hundreds of these specimens complete a yearly migration that brings them close to the shores of the continent from Peru to Panama, in order to breed and give birth to their offspring in warmer watersAFP / Cris Bouroncle SYDNEY, Australia — A female humpback whale has been documented apparently grieving a stillborn calf in new research released Thursday offering rare insights into the complex emotions of the sea-dwelling mammals.

The footage, taken off Australia's Gold Coast last year, shows a female humpback whale staying close to the dead calf as it lies motionless on the sea floor.

Accompanied by a companion, the whale holds eye contact with the animal, touching it with its head and fin.

"At first sight, I thought it was just two whales resting on the surface, but their behavior was unusual," said Andrew Mulville from Sea World Foundation, who witnessed the heart-wrenching moment. "It was definitely not what I was expecting to see out at sea that day."

Researchers said the whale had stayed with the deceased animal for "several hours and possibly even days."

"It's really sad," Olaf Meynecke of Griffith University's Whales and Climate Research Program told AFP. "It's pretty heartbreaking to watch this female making continuous contact with the deceased calf."

A number of other deceased whale calves were observed in the area at the time, the researchers said.

The whale did not try and bring the calf to the surface, suggesting "she might have been aware that it was dead shortly after giving birth," they said.

Researchers said the whale's actions "may represent a form of grief-related behaviour in humpback whales."

Meynecke said his research spoke to the "strong bond" between mother and calf and the emotional stages that "socially complex" mammals go through following the deaths of their offspring or companions.

Whales are far from the first non-human mammals to have been observed engaging in complex grieving rituals, he said.

"We're seeing this from elephants and apes and cases like that that are also extremely heartbreaking," Meynecke said. "But on land we witness this more often, whereas at sea it's really rare to document something like this."

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!