Cetacean Stranding Networks: Welfare and Response Protocols

Marine mammal stranding networks provide emergency response to cetaceans in distress, balancing welfare, public safety, and conservation goals.

Key Facts

Thousands of cetaceans strand annually worldwide — causes include disease, injury, disorientation, and social bonds
Mass strandings of pilot whales and sperm whales are among the most challenging welfare events
Refloating decisions involve complex welfare considerations — animals with severe illness may suffer more if refloated
Euthanasia of severely compromised stranded cetaceans is sometimes the most welfare-positive outcome
Stranding network responders receive specialized training in cetacean handling, welfare assessment, and refloating

Welfare Considerations

Cetacean stranding welfare involves difficult triage decisions under time pressure, with incomplete information about the animal condition and prognosis. Animals distressed by stranding experience acute pain, dehydration, overheating, and often underlying disease. Welfare-positive response prioritizes rapid assessment of survivability, provision of cooling and moisture to prevent skin damage during response, and euthanasia decision-making guided by welfare rather than conservation value alone. Public emotional pressure to refloat severely compromised animals can override welfare considerations and requires careful management by trained responders.

What You Can Do

Report cetacean strandings immediately to local stranding network hotlines — do not attempt to push animals back
Do not pour water over blowholes of stranded cetaceans — wet blowholes endanger the animal
Support stranding networks through donations and volunteering in appropriate roles
Follow social distancing from stranding scenes to allow trained responders to work effectively
Advocate for funding of regional marine mammal stranding response capacity