Cetacean strandings cause significant suffering and represent a major wildlife emergency. Coordinated response systems minimise welfare harm and improve survival rates.
Stranded cetaceans experience severe physiological stress from terrestrial exposure including cardiac stress from unsupported body weight, thermoregulation problems, and dehydration. Live stranded cetaceans are in immediate welfare need and require professional response to assess euthanasia versus rescue viability. Refloating animals with treatable conditions alongside humane euthanasia of those with poor prognosis requires species-specific expertise. Public intervention without professional guidance frequently worsens outcomes.