Important “To Do” List for Strandings
If you witness a stranding of any marine mammal (i.e. dolphin, whale, manatee), remember the following important steps:
Immediately:
- Call Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC
Tell the dispatcher your exact location
- Call Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS) at (305) 546-1111
State your exact location
- DO NOT PUSH THE ANIMAL BACK OUT TO SEA—scientist need to assess the animal as quickly as possible and this delays the process and can create undue harm to the animal
- Do NOT touch the animal—we have staff and trained volunteers who will get to the scene
- Keep crowds at least 50 yards away from the animal, maintain a safe distance perimeter as stranded animals can hurt pedestrians
- Keep the area as quiet as possible to reduce trauma
- Do NOT throw water on the animal’s head, this could inadvertently cause drowning if water got into the blowhole
- Do NOT cover the animal’s blow hole, this could cause suffocation
Media Contact: Vanessa Lane
Cell : (305) 586-1080 or VLane83@aol.com or vlane1@att.blackberry.net
Working with Marine Mammals and Your Health - a guide for marine mammal workers and rehabilitation volunteers.
Important information to keep you aware, safe, and healthy.
On August 17, 2007, MARS responded to a deceased dolphin off of Miami Beach. It was entangled and is still under investigation. MARS volunteers assisted in the transport and necropsy.
On March 7, 2007, MARS responded to a Risso's dolphin stranded on North Miami Beach at Collins and 85 Street. We began to ready ourselves for transport to our facility on Virgina Key, but the animal did not survive the transport.
On July 24, 2006, a 51 foot sperm whale stranded near Big Pine Key.
A partial field necropsy was performed.
