East Sussex WRAS has several trained marine mammal medics and works closely with British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
Why do cetaceans strand?
Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), strand for various reasons. This can be attributed to geomagnetic contours intersecting beaches, gently sloping beaches that hinder echolocation, pursuing prey onto shores, disturbance, unusual underwater activity, unfamiliar coastal layouts or atypical weather conditions. Additionally, social factors like following a sick or injured animal onto the beach can lead to stranding. Illness and injury are also common causes of cetacean strandings.
First response and first aid
Quickly contact WRAS or BDMLR from your mobile, ensuring to note the precise location where the stranded animal is – or use What3words.
- Avoid pushing the animal back into the water or relocating it to deeper waters.
- Refrain from submerging the animal in water to prevent it drowning.
- Cetaceans can survive on the beach if given proper support and care.
- Maintain a quiet environment around the animal, standing out of its line of sight. Keep dogs and children away.
- Use gloves when handling these animals.
- Use the flat of your hands to roll and support the animal in an upright position.
- Cover the animal with wet sheets or seaweed, keeping it wet. Gently and continuously apply water to the cetacean’s skin using buckets or a hose.
- Dig trenches on either side of the animal at the Pectoral fins to allow them to point downwards, as the animal may be uncomfortable if these fins are horizontal or pointing upwards.
- Protect the blowhole at the top of the animal’s head from sand and water. Cup your hand around one side without obstructing the blowhole or the animal’s breathing. Avoid placing your head over the blowhole to prevent potential illness from the animal’s exhaled air.
- Do not pour water into the blowhole, as this could be harmful, similar to pouring water into your own nose.
- Wait for BDMLR or WRAS rescuers to arrive.
Further Information
For further information on cetacean stranding’s or on how to become trained as a Marine Mammal Medic please go to BDMLR’s website www.bdmlr.org.uk. BDMLR can be contacted on 01825 765 546, 24 hours a day.
