Stranded whales, dolphins and seals require specialist response to reduce suffering and improve survival - the UK stranding network provides coordinated welfare-focused intervention.
Marine mammal stranding welfare requires trained responders who can rapidly assess animal condition, stabilise welfare and make appropriate decisions about intervention versus euthanasia. The welfare calculus for stranded animals is complex: rehabilitation is appropriate for animals with good prognosis, but prolonging suffering through inappropriate resuscitation attempts causes harm. Training volunteers in initial welfare assessment and stabilisation extends response capacity significantly. Welfare-appropriate euthanasia for large whales that cannot be refloated is a difficult but important component of stranding response. Public education about appropriate responses - including not pushing stranded animals back into water - prevents well-intentioned harm.