无人机操作员亚历山大·福雷斯特在澳大利亚新南威尔士州北部沿海捕捉到座头鲸分娩的珍贵画面，这被认为是人类首次用无人机记录的鲸鱼分娩过程[1][2]。事件发生于2026年7月29日周二下午，地点在Kingscliff海岸附近[2]。小鲸鱼体重约1.5吨，出生后母鲸将幼仔送至水面协助其进行第一次呼吸[1]。研究人员在现场观察到其他鲸鱼和鲨鱼接近这对母子[1]。
无人机在符合新南威尔士州生物多样性保护法规的距离内进行了拍摄，距离海岸约700米，距离鲸鱼超过100米[2]。麦格理大学鲸鱼科学家瓦妮莎·皮罗塔称这是"一个神奇的时刻"[2]。澳大利亚鲸类救援与研究组织（ORRCA）研究主管安妮·波斯特表示，这些视频将接受同行评审并发表，为海洋哺乳动物知识的增进做出贡献[2]。新南威尔士大学博士候选人简·麦克菲-弗鲁指出，该发现表明鲸鱼分娩地点可能不限于热带地区[2]。
这一记录对座头鲸保护意义重大。根据研究数据，2024年座头鲸数量预计约50000头，而2004年仅有约7000头[1]。ORRCA研究主管安妮·波斯特表示，这是"捕鲸时代后鲸鱼数量增加的明确证据"[1]。年轻座头鲸的存活率在67至87%之间[1]。
Drone operator Alex Forrest has recorded the first-ever aerial footage of a humpback whale giving birth, marking a significant moment in marine research [1][2]. The birth occurred on July 29, 2026, in the afternoon off the coast of Kingscliff in northern New South Wales, Australia [2]. The newborn calf, weighing approximately 1.5 tonnes, was brought to the surface by its mother to take its first breath [1]. Researchers observed other whales and sharks approaching the mother-calf pair during the event [1].
The drone was positioned approximately 700 metres from shore and more than 100 metres from the whales, complying with New South Wales biodiversity protection regulations [2]. This represents only the fourth recorded instance of a whale birth being documented in human history [2]. Macquarie University whale scientist Vanessa Pirotta described the moment as "magical" [2], while Annie Post, research director at ORRCA (the Australian marine mammal rescue and research organization), noted that the footage will undergo peer review and contribute to marine mammal science [2]. University of New South Wales doctoral candidate Jane McPhee-Frew highlighted that the discovery suggests humpback calves may be born beyond tropical regions [2].
The footage comes as humpback whale populations have experienced a remarkable recovery. The species numbered approximately 7,000 in 2004 and is projected to reach around 50,000 by 2024 [1]. This resurgence represents a dramatic rebound from the 1960s, when humpbacks were nearly extinct [1]. According to Post, the recovery demonstrates "clear evidence of increased whale numbers since the end of the whaling era," with young humpbacks showing survival rates between 67 and 87 percent [1].