11 Sep 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hervey Bay, QLD (September 2025) — A groundbreaking 14-year study by researchers from Pacific Whale Foundation reveals that humpback whale mother–calf pairs in East Australia are more social than previously believed. Contrary to longstanding assumptions that these pairs avoid social interactions, the study found a growing prevalence of groups containing multiple mothers and their calves—especially along key southern migration stopovers like Hervey Bay and Eden.
These "multi-mother–calf" (multi-MC) groups, though rare in tropical breeding grounds, were found to exhibit increased social behavior as calves matured during their southbound migration. The findings shed light on the potential role of migration routes in calf social development and challenge prior assumptions about maternal isolation in humpback whales.
“This work challenges previous notions of humpback whale mother–calf isolation and highlights the complexity of their social lives during migration,” said lead author Barry McGovern.
Read the full study: McGovern, B. et al. (2025). "Prevalence, Composition, and Behaviour of Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Groups Containing Multiple Mother–Calf Pairs in East Australia." [Full white paper attached]
Contact:
Barry McGovern
Pacific Whale Foundation Australia
barrymcgovern@pacificwhale.org
Media Contacts:
Karen Broadhurst
Marketing Manager
07 4196 9684 | 0413 310 091
