Stranded whales and dolphins require specialized welfare-focused response to minimize suffering during rescue or humane euthanasia when rescue is not possible.
Cetacean strandings create acute welfare emergencies where decisions must balance rescue potential against suffering. A stranded pilot whale that is apparently healthy and reflexively active may be refloatable with excellent survival prospects. A sperm whale stranded with severe injuries and poor physiological indicators faces suffering that worsens with time on the beach - rapid euthanasia may be the most welfare-positive outcome. Responders must rapidly assess consciousness level, injury severity, physiological status and rescue feasibility to make welfare-optimal decisions. The well-meaning public impulse to 'help' by splashing animals or attempting to push them off beaches without expert guidance often increases suffering. Coordinated expert response using established welfare assessment protocols produces the best outcomes.