Researchers from Griffith University and the SeaWorld Foundation observed a female humpback whale remaining alongside a dead calf in 2025. The unusual behavior raises questions about whether humpback whales experience grief or other sadness-like responses after losing their young.

The female, believed to have given birth to a stillborn calf, was observed with a whale escort off the southern coast of the Gold Coast. The mother may have stayed near the calf for several hours and remained with it for several days.

[See the video below the article.]

Rare post-mortem behavior in humpback whales

Dr. Olaf Meinecke, from Griffith University’s Whale and Climate Research Program, said careful behavior toward dead individuals has been documented primarily in toothed whales, including delphinids. Similar observations are less common in published studies of baleen whales such as humpbacks.

“Unlike previous reports of toothed whales in which mothers were observed bringing their dead calves to the surface, this humpback mother displayed prolonged behavior after death, focusing on her dead calf below the surface,” Meinecke said.

“She stayed close to the calf, maintained eye contact, and positioned herself next to the calf for hours and even days.”

“These observed behaviors are consistent with caregiving and nurturing behaviors and attentive post-mortem responses documented in socially complex mammals, and indicate strong maternal attachment to the calf.”

Cetaceans are among the most closely observed marine animals and regularly attract significant public attention. However, rare events involving death at sea can be difficult for researchers to document.

An unexpected encounter off the Gold Coast

SeaWorld Foundation rescue ship captain Andrew Mulville witnessed the unusual interaction firsthand.

“Once I actually understood what was going on, I was really surprised.”

“At first glance, we thought it was two whales resting on the surface of the water, but their behavior was unusual.”

“What I saw at sea that day was definitely not what I expected.”

The observation adds to the small number of recorded cases involving dead calves among baleen whales. Dr. Meinecke said these rare and deeply sad encounters could help scientists better understand how large whales respond to death and what their behavior may reveal about cognition and emotion.

What whale behavior may reveal about grief and attachment

Because events like this are rarely witnessed, researchers say careful documentation is essential. More observations may help determine whether such behavior reflects maternal attachment, sadness-like reactions, or other forms of social and emotional behavior.

“This case study highlights the need to continue to systematically record rare neonatal death events to better understand the cognitive, emotional and evolutionary significance of post-mortem behavior in large whales,” Meinecke said.

“Understanding how non-human animals react to death provides insight into their emotional lives, social bonds, and cognitive abilities.”

The study, “The first record of post-mortem attendance after stillbirth in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)”, was published in Discover Animals.