Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 2 d ago, last 1 d ago, peak #2

Humpback whale filmed mourning 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 spotted two humpback whales and the body of a stillborn calf on the seafloor. Footage shows the female repeatedly diving toward the calf, making eye contact and resting a pectoral fin on its body. Researchers describe the behaviour as consistent with grieving, drawing wide attention to whale mourning.

Why now: The rare footage of a whale apparently grieving her dead calf is emotionally striking and resonates with ongoing debates about animal sentience.

humpback whalesQueenslandrescue boat captainmarine researchers

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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 · 14

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