strandings

 
 

  1. -  Call the strandings hot-line: 1-888-895-3003


  1. -  Take photographs of the animal (put something in for scale to help determine the size of the animal).


  1. -  Make note of animal’s size, colour, type of teeth and anything else peculiar.


-   Remember that these are wild animals and you should use caution in their presence!

Their powerful tail fin movements may cause injuries.







- Record the exact location


- Record environmental conditions (are the animals moving in the water? what are the  tide and swell conditions?), what are the beach conditions (sandy, large boulder, cliff)?


- If it is a leatherback sea turtle check for TAGS in the loose skin between the back flipper and tail and record the information






- Record the number and size of animals that are ashore and free swimming


- Try and find others who may have witnessed the stranding for background information.







- Most importantly: reduce stress on the animals by maintaining a calm, controlled atmosphere. To do this:

            - Keep noise levels down

            - Keep dogs, large crowds, ATVs away from the animals.


  1. -Minimize handling.


  1. -To avoid startling the animal, approach from the head or to the side, not from behind. Any stranded animal wants to know where you are.


  1. -Do not place hands over sensitive areas, such as the eyes, mouth, blowhole, genital slit or anal area.


  1. -When lifting do not use the back, side or tail flukes as handles. Be careful not to stand on fins and flukes.


  1. -Do not tow whales back to sea with ropes around the tail as this can break their backs.



support on the beach



- Remove sharp objects, such as rocks and sticks, from underneath the animal.


- The animals should be moved from heavy surf.


- Trenches should be dug for side fins and tail flukes.


- Animal should rest on its bottom side (ventral side) and be upright.


- Wash sand and dirt from eyes.


- Cover with light blanket and keep moist.



supporting whales in the water



- Be aware these are strong animals and stay away from the tail area.


- If you are wearing an appropriate suit for keeping warm and dry, whales can be supported in the water and out of the surf zone. The whale can be supported by hand or stretcher.


- Small whal
es can be held with one hand positioned behind and under the side fin and the other at the insertion of the dorsal fin.


- Face multiple animals toward each other in a circular pattern so that they can see each other.


- Mothers and calves (if known) should be held together.


  1. -If animal is unstable, rock it back and forth (to about 45) before release so that they can regain their sense of balance.


  1. -DO NOT submerge blowholes. This would be like submerging a person’s nostrils!


- When animal regains movement (begins thrashing) and respiration is increased, stop rocking the animal.


releasing stranded animals



  1. -Try and release all the animals together.


  1. -Keep them in a single horizontal line, not behind each other or between people releasing them.


- Make noise on the water to drive whales offshore.


- Position boats on the edges of the group of whales to keep the whales moving away from the beach.




 

What you should do if you find a stranded whale or sea turtle:

Additional details that you can record:

If there are multiple animals stranded (mass stranding):

1. Report the stranding

If animals are dead:
 

2. If assisting with stranded animals

    Strandings of whales and dolphins onto land have always occurred. Throughout history, stranded animals have provided a windfall of food for people living in coastal communities.

    Strandings of marine animals are common in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Many strandings are of single animals, but there have been notable instances of mass strandings – in 1979 there was a stranding of 139 pilot whales at Point au Gaul on the Burin Peninsula. The reasons for whale and dolphin strandings, and why many are unable to survive after being pushed or towed back out to sea, are unclear. Theories include parasitic infections, orientation difficulties, and pods of animals following a sick leader. On the other hand, a group of animals may simply find itself in the wrong place at the wrong time. From a scientific perspective, strandings offer a window into the life histories of some of the world’s most elusive species. Mass strandings can present a large sample size for research purposes.

Stranded pilot whale, Lewisporte, 2002

To download a Strandings pamphlet to your computer, click here.