Were these whales really hugging — or was it just a fluke?

Drone video of two critically endangered North Atlantic right whales swimming in Cape Cod Bay shows the animals appearing to embrace one another with their flippers.

Wildlife photographer Brian Skerry and scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the New England Aquarium captured the moment on 28 February as the whales interacted.

Woods Hole scientists say such behavior is rarely observed and that it may have been the first time a whale hug was recorded from the air.

"Researchers saw what appeared to be whales hugging with their flippers, technically described as 'belly to belly:' perhaps showing affection and attempts at mating," the research team said in a statement.

North Atlantic right whales are some of the planet's most endangered animals, with the known population estimated at just 360. The whales are susceptible to ship strikes and potentially lethal entanglements with commercial fishing gear.

Scientists say there's a bright spot: The whales gave birth over the past winter in greater numbers than scientists have seen since 2015.

"So much of what we wanted to do with my photo coverage was to try to create empathy for these animals," said Skerry.

Having spent years in the water trying to capture secrets, the biggest surprise has been how many similarities they share with humans Skerry told the Herald.

"These whales play games; they show grief and mourning and invest a lot of time in the next generation." Aparrently, they ocassionally share a hug.

"The science alone hasn't been enough to get public opinion engaged. This is a species that could go extinct in our lifetime."

- Associated Press, additional reporting NZ Herald