Drone Captures Rare Humpback Whale Birth off New South Wales Coast

On 28 July, Australian drone operator Alexander Forrest of the non‑profit ORRCA recorded a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) giving birth near Kingscliff, New South Wales. The footage, taken from about 700 m offshore, shows the mother surfacing, a column of blood, and the newborn calf emerging for its first breaths before the mother reunites with it. Researchers say it may be the first complete drone video of a wild humpback birth, offering valuable data on maternal behavior and early calf development.

Separate drone footage from Western Australia later captured four whales with striking contrasting coloration, underscoring the visual impact of aerial marine observation and the importance of protecting ocean habitats from pollution and climate threats.