Marine mammal strandings involve significant welfare challenges requiring coordinated emergency response, specialised rehabilitation and difficult triage decisions.
Marine mammal strandings represent acute welfare emergencies requiring rapid, skilled response. Stranded cetaceans suffer from dehydration, sunburn, circulatory problems from their own weight out of water, and the underlying illness or injury that caused the stranding. Seals strand more commonly and have better rehabilitation outcomes than most cetacean species. Expert triage is essential - some animals cannot survive and euthanasia is the most humane outcome, while others recover fully with appropriate care. The public should call a stranding hotline immediately but avoid interfering without guidance.