Humpback Whale Mother Returns To Seafloor To Stay With Stillborn Calf

Southern Queensland, Australia – A female humpback whale was observed returning to the seafloor and remaining with her presumed stillborn calf in a rare case of post-mortem behaviour documented off the southern Gold Coast in 2025.

The mother was accompanied by an escort whale and stayed with the deceased calf for several hours and possibly even days. Researchers from Griffith University and Sea World Foundation said the observation may indicate grieving behaviour.