Video: watson/nina bürge
July 29, 2026, 1:15 p.mJuly 29, 2026, 1:15 p.m
Researchers say they have achieved a world first off the east coast of Australia: for the first time, the birth of a humpback whale calf was filmed with a drone.
The rare recordings were taken on Tuesday off the coast of Kingscliff in the state of New South Wales and are now to be scientifically evaluated, as the ABC reported, citing the scientists involved.
Video: watson/nina bürge
The drone pilot Alex Forrest from the whale protection organization ORRCA (Organization for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) had previously observed a female humpback whale that was moving significantly slower than her group. Suddenly he saw a red cloud in the water and initially thought it was an attack by a predator. It was only when the calf rose to the surface that he realized he had witnessed a birth, the ABC quoted Forrest as saying.
“I hope that this footage can help expand the very little knowledge about humpback whale birth,” he said. According to ORRCA, this is only the fourth time the birth of a humpback whale has ever been filmed – and the first time using a drone. The recordings were taken from a distance of more than 100 meters and were therefore in accordance with Australian nature conservation regulations.
“Magical moment”
Marine biologist Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University spoke of a “magical moment” for an animal that can live over 80 years. “The fact that this boy knew exactly what to do – to come to the surface – was a very special moment.” The expert wrote on the X platform: “I’ve never seen photos like this! I’m totally overwhelmed.”
According to experts, the find could also call into question previous assumptions about the reproduction of marine mammals. It was long assumed that humpback whales gave birth exclusively in tropical waters. The birth off the coast of New South Wales now suggests that this may not always be the case.
Thousands of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are currently on their annual migration along Australia’s east coast towards warmer waters to the north. There they mate and give birth to their calves. With a length of up to 17 meters and a weight of up to 40 tons, the huge marine mammals are among the largest animals on earth. (sda/dpa)