Humpback whale displays mourning behavior for deceased calf

Marine biologists Olaf Meynecke from Griffith University and whale rescue expert Andrew Mulville have documented a significant case of a female humpback whale exhibiting behaviors consistent with mourning. Near the Gold Coast in Australia, the whale was observed repeatedly diving to touch her deceased calf with her head and pectoral fin, attempting to establish eye contact to check for signs of life.

The behavior lasted for hours, and researchers suggest it may have lasted for days. Meynecke noted that the mother did not attempt to bring the calf to the surface, which is a typical behavior used to help newborns take their first breath. Researchers are currently considering two theories: that the mother was unable to lift the calf, or that she was aware the calf was no longer alive. This observation adds to documented instances of similar grief-like behaviors in other species such as elephants, chimpanzees, and orcas.