Mass strandings of cetaceans including whales and dolphins cause acute welfare suffering requiring coordinated emergency response, with prevention through addressing causes including naval sonar and entanglement more effective than response alone.
Stranded cetaceans suffer acute welfare harm from the physical consequences of beaching including compression injuries from body weight unsupported by water, overheating, dehydration, and respiratory difficulty. The distress of stranding is likely intense for animals with sophisticated social awareness. Rescue responses that keep animals cool and supported while veterinary assessment occurs provide immediate welfare benefit. However, refloating decisions must balance welfare against the risk of re-stranding a compromised animal that will suffer further. Prevention through addressing sonar use and entanglement causes is more effective than emergency response.