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Volunteer Drone Pilot Alex Forrest Captures First Drone Recording of a Humpback Whale Birth

Volunteer drone pilot Alex Forrest recorded a rare marine mammal sighting off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, capturing the first known drone recording of a humpback whale birth. On July 28, while monitoring the whales' northbound migration, Forrest noticed a female whale moving slowly and consistently near Kingscliff. He observed a plume of blood and a newborn calf emerging from the mother, eventually surfacing to take its first breath. This footage is believed to be only the fourth complete humpback whale birth ever caught on film. The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) team filmed from a330 feet away to comply with regulations. Researchers, including ORRCA head of research Annie Post, noted that the mother helped the calf to the surface to ensure it could breathe. The footage will be added to scientific publications to help researchers understand humpback whale reproduction and maternal behavior. ORRCA is withholding the exact location to protect the mother and calf.

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