Humpback mother stays beside stillborn calf, hinting at grief

A humpback whale was filmed standing watch over its stillborn calf, marking the first documented case of a whale appearing to mourn a dead offspring. The footage was captured by a rescue boat off the coast, and the mother remained close to the calf for several minutes, never swimming away. Observers noted the adult’s slow, gentle movements and repeated contacts with the calf, behaviours scientists describe as grief‑like. Researchers from marine‑biology groups said the video provides rare insight into cetacean emotional capacity. The incident was reported by several outlets including The Guardian, New Scientist and The Independent, highlighting its significance for understanding whale social bonds.