Do whales grieve? Rare footage of humpback alongside stillborn calf suggests they might | Olaf Meynecke for the Conversation
News Source
β’Thu, 17 Sep 2026 02:22:11 GMT
π° What Happened
Last July, a newborn humpback whale died just off Australia's Gold Coast. Underwater video showed its mother returning to the calf for more than an hour. She touched it gently with her head and fin and rested beside it.
Scientists say this may be the first recorded case of a humpback mother caring for a dead newborn. It raises the question of whether whales feel grief.
π The Backstory
Humpback whales swim huge distances each year and are known for helping other animals in trouble. They have been seen protecting seals from killer whales.
Whales and dolphins are highly social animals. Researchers have seen them stay near injured or dying companions, which suggests strong bonds. The research was written by Olaf Meynecke for the Conversation.
π― Why It Matters
It makes us think about how animals feel. If whales can grieve, people may treat the ocean and its animals with more care.
Last July, a newborn humpback whale died just off Australia's Gold Coast. Underwater video showed its mother returning to the calf for more than an hour. She touched it gently with her head and fin and rested beside it.
Scientists say this may be the first recorded case of a humpback mother caring for a dead newborn. It raises the question of whether whales feel grief.
Humpback whales swim huge distances each year and are known for helping other animals in trouble. They have been seen protecting seals from killer whales.
Whales and dolphins are highly social animals. Researchers have seen them stay near injured or dying companions, which suggests strong bonds. The research was written by Olaf Meynecke for the Conversation.
It makes us think about how animals feel. If whales can grieve, people may treat the ocean and its animals with more care.