On July 28, Alexander Forrest recorded the first drone footage of a humpback whale giving birth off New South Wales while flying for ORRCA. The video shows the mother surfacing, a plume of blood, and the newborn calf "jetting" to the surface for its first breaths. Other ORRCA pilots joined the observation and monitored the pair until sunset. As only the fourth recorded humpback birth, the footage is expected to be valuable for research into reproduction and maternal behaviour.
“My Adrenaline Was Through The Roof”: First Drone Footage Captures Humpback Whale Giving Birth
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: Getty Images
Drones have opened new perspectives on the natural world, and on July 28 photographer Alexander Forrest used one to record a rare and extraordinary event off the north coast of New South Wales: a humpback whale giving birth. Forrest was conducting aerial surveys for the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) when he noticed an adult whale lingering in shallow water.
Unexpected Birth Caught on Camera
“Between the southbound and northbound migrators, one whale stood out – a lone adult, travelling in the shallows at a very slow speed,” Forrest wrote in an Instagram post. When the whale rose toward the surface, he began recording. What at first looked like an unusual surfacing proved to be the start of a delivery.
“It was extraordinary – my adrenaline was through the roof, and it echoes into the footage,” Forrest said, describing how intense the moment felt as he watched and filmed from above.
The footage shows the mother surfacing as she gave birth. The video includes a plume of blood from the female, after which Forrest zoomed in. Moments later a pale newborn calf "jetted" toward the surface, took its first breaths, and then reunited with its mother.
Scientific Value and Responsible Monitoring
After realizing the significance of the footage, Forrest alerted ORRCA. Other ORRCA drone pilots joined him, and the team continued to document the mother and calf until sunset while staff at ORRCA headquarters maintained phone contact. This sighting is only the fourth ever recorded of a humpback whale giving birth, and the first captured by drone. Researchers say the recording will help improve understanding of humpback reproduction, maternal behaviour and the earliest minutes of a calf's life.
Note on Sensitive Content: The video includes natural, biological signs of birth, including blood. Viewers sensitive to such imagery should take care when watching.
“It's a privilege to have witnessed such a remarkable moment, and even more rewarding to know it may contribute to marine mammal science for years to come,” Forrest said.
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