Where To Report A Stranding

England

The appropriate emergency numbers to call in the event of a live marine mammal stranding are:

1. 01825 765 546 (BDMLR - British Divers Marine Life Rescue)

2. 08705 555 999 (RSPCA - Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

3. 0800 807060 (Environment Agency)

These numbers can be used 24 hours a day.

Please give an accurate location and description of the stranded animal.

Dead stranded cetaceans can also be reported, to allow the bodies to be examined to try to determine causes of death and collect other important information.

Call 020 7942 5155 to report dead stranded whales and dolphins to the Natural History Museum and 020 7449 6691 for dead stranded seals.

Scotland

The SSPCA (Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has three contact numbers that can be used to help co-ordinate cetacean rescues:

Edinburgh - 0131 339 0111
Edinburgh, Lothian and borders, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Renfre, Dumbarton, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Dumfries, Galloway

Aberdeen - 01224 581 236
City of Aberdeen, Angus, Shetland, Kincardine and Degside, Banff and Buchan, Dundee, Moray and Nairn

Inverness - 01463 231191
Argyll, Caithness, Sutherland, Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey, Orkney, Ross and Cromarty, Skye and Lachalsh, Lochaber, Western Isles

If the animal is dead then contact SAC Veterinary Services on:
The National Strandings Line: 01463 243030

Wales

Contact RSPCA on 0870 555 9999 for rescue of live stranded marine animals in Wales.

Dead stranded marine animals should be reported to Marine Environment Monitoring on 01348 875000.

When reporting a dead stranding please give a clear description of location, species if known, overall length and condition of the animal, for example: fresh; slightly decomposed; moderately decomposed; advanced decomposition.

Ireland

The Marine Mammal Rescue Team (MMRT) have a 24 hr. contact number at:
283 0800 UNIT 13 99 66 and a mobile number: 087 2333406

If you find a live stranded whale or dolphin contact the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group immediately on:

Cork - (021) 904197 or (021) 907053
Dublin - 087 2977931
Belfast - (08) 232 38215

If you find a live stranded seal contact the Irish Seal Sanctuary on:
01 8354370

If the animal is dead then contact University College Cork on:
021 904197 or 021 904053

Australia

Orrca volunteers operate the Orrca Hotline from home 24 hours every day for emergencies. For other calls, its appreciated if you call between 8am and 8pm (Eastern Australian Time).

Tel: +61 2 9415 333
Fax: +61 2 9918 5497

http://www.orrca.org.au

The Secretary
Orrca Inc
GPO Box 362
Sydney NSW 2001 Australia

USA

Staff from WDCSs North American office in New England volunteer for the Cape Cod Strandings Network (tel. 508 743 9548 to report a stranding) and the New England Aquarium (24hr hotline - 617 973 5247).

New Zealand

Project Jonah was founded in 1973 and is considered the worlds authority on the rescue of stranded whales and dolphins.

In 1990, the development of Marine Mammal Medic training began, in which members of the public undertook training on how to be valuable volunteers ready to assist in any marine mammal-stranding rescue. Along side the Marine Mammal Medic program, Project Jonah (NZ) Inc developed highly specialised equipment that is used in the rescue of stranded marine mammals. This equipment is now standard at all rescues in New Zealand. The inflatable rescue pontoon system, first developed in 1985, is now in use in the UK.

PROJECT JONAH (NZ) INC.
PO Box 8376
Symonds Street
Auckland 1150
New Zealand

www.projectjonah.org.nz

General Enquiries (09) 302 3106

24 hr. hotline 0800  4 WHALE (0800 4  94253)

Fax (09) 376 4544