Mother whale's heartbreaking moment with stillborn calf

Vision of a humpback whale and her stillborn calf has scientists pondering the mammals' inner lives. (HANDOUT/Griffith University)

A never-before scientifically documented moment between a humpback whale and her stillborn calf has scientists rethinking the depth of the creatures' inner lives.

Following the death of the calf, the mother remained with it for hours and potentially days, touching it with her head and pectoral fin, swimming close beside it, and staring into its eyes.