Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 5 h ago, last 56 min ago, peak #3

Humpback whale seen grieving stillborn calf off Queensland

Original: 🐋 NEW: In July 2025, a rescue boat captain near # Queensland spotted two # humpback # whales and the body of a stillborn

In July 2025, a rescue boat captain near Queensland in Australia spotted two humpback whales and the body of a stillborn calf resting on the seafloor. Footage shows the female repeatedly diving down to make eye contact with the calf and resting a pectoral fin on its body. Researchers say the behaviour is consistent with grief-like responses already documented in whales.

Why now: The rare footage of a whale appearing to mourn her dead calf is emotionally striking and touches on ongoing scientific debate about grief in animals.

humpback whalesQueenslandAustralia

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Evidence

• 🐋 NEW: In July 2025, a rescue boat captain near # Queensland spotted two # humpback # whales and the body of a stillborn calf on the seafloor. # Video captured the female diving repeatedly to make eye contact and rest a pectoral fin on the calf. Researchers describe the… · tksst@fediscience.org · 10

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