# Humpback whale deaths and behavior in Australia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/humpback-whale-deaths-and-behavior-in-australia
> Updated: 2026-10-02T08:41:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Following the death of a 6.7-metre juvenile female humpback whale on the Sunshine Coast, officials conducted research and testing, including for bird flu, before towing the carcass approximately 40 kilometres out to sea.

Subsequent observations near the Gold Coast documented a different instance of humpback whale behavior. Researchers using underwater cameras observed a female whale exhibiting what they described as “mourning-like behavior” by staying close to her deceased calf for nearly two hours. The study noted the whale made physical contact with the calf using her head and pectoral fins, marking what researchers stated is the “first detailed documentation of such behavior in a humpback whale.”

## Claims

- The duration of the humpback whale's behavior lasted for hours and potentially days. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- This is the first detailed documented case of this specific behavior in a humpback whale. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The mother whale did not attempt to bring the deceased calf to the surface. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The whale sought physical contact and eye contact with the dead calf. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Similar mourning-like behaviors have been observed in elephants, chimpanzees, and orcas. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-02: Humpback whale exhibits mourning-like behavior near Australia

Researchers have documented a humpback whale off Australia's Gold Coast exhibiting behavior similar to mourning by staying close to and touching its deceased calf for an extended period.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/humpback-whale-exhibits-mourning-like-behavior-near-australia

### 2026-09-22: Sunshine Coast officials tow dead humpback whale out to sea

A juvenile humpback whale washed up on Australia's Sunshine Coast. Officials tested the carcass for bird flu and attached a GPS tracker before towing it 40 kilometres out to sea.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sunshine-coast-officials-tow-dead-humpback-whale-out-to-sea

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Cite as: Humpback whale deaths and behavior in Australia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/humpback-whale-deaths-and-behavior-in-australia