What To Do When Encountering a Stranding: A Step-by-Step Guide

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1. Immediately report the stranding to your local stranding team and the specialists involved. These details can be found at the Report A Stranding section of our website.

2. Wait with the animal until the stranding network whom have been contacted, arrive.

3. Ensure that the animal is supported in an upright position. Trenches should be dug under the pectoral fins if the animal is a dolphin or whale. If the animal is not in an upright position, gently roll the animal over ensuring that the pectoral fins do not get caught under itself or any other obstacles.

4. To prevent the animal from drying out, ensure the animal is covered in wet bed sheets or seaweed. Keep the animal moist by spraying it with water. PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL AIRWAYS (GILLS, BLOWHOLES ETC.) ARE NOT COVERED AND NO SAND OR WATER ENTERS THESE AREAS.

5. If the animal is in direct sunlight or wind, provide necessary shade or shelter.

​6. Avoid the tail of the animals due to risk of injury to both the animal and human

7. With dolphins or whales, avoid close facial contact with the blowhole as diseases can be transmitted between humans and cetaceans.

8. Keep all noise, contact and disturbance to a minimum.

9. When the team has arrived, please leave the area immediately unless help or assistance is asked of you. 

 

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