IF YOU FIND A STRANDED MARINE ANIMAL

Alive

If you find a live stranded dolphin, porpoise, whale, seal or turtle, ring British Divers Marine Life Rescue immediately on 01825 765546. BDMLR have teams of trained volunteers nationwide, who will be scrambled to help a live stranded marine mammal.

keep people and dogs well away
do not put the animal back in the water
do not pour water in its blowhole (the hole on top of its head through which it breathes)
do not touch the animal - it may carry diseases that you could catch

If you find a live seal, injured or in trouble, you can also ring the National Seal Sanctuary immediately, on 01326 221361. The Seal Sanctuary will give advice and, if necessary, attend live seals who need assistance.

keep people and dogs well away
do not approach seals, they can bite and cause serious injury
never pick up seal pups - they are seldom abandoned unless you frighten the mother away
always report seals with rope or plastic around their necks or bodies

Dead

If you find a dead dolphin, porpoise, whale, seal, shark or turtle, ring us immediately on 0845 201 2626. We have a network of volunteers who will record the animal before it is taken by the tide. The Strandings Coordinator will liaise with the beach owner, who is responsible for removal of the body.

keep dogs and children away
do not touch the body as dead animals may carry diseases that you can catch
do not put the body back in the sea

Location

To check the stranding location and provide us with an OS map grid reference, click here.