Dolphins, whales and porpoises breathe air and when stranded on the shore, they need to be kept cool with water. If a stranded dolphin, whale or porpoise is found please take the following next steps:

 

1) Telephone for help at once

2) Calmly approach the animal, but be careful – it could make sudden movements

3) If you can find adequate assistance, roll the animal over onto its front and keep the skin wet with sea water. Do not pull on its fins or tail and be very careful not to get water into the blowhole.

4) Keep dogs and crowds away and avoid loud noise or sudden movement to reduce stress

5) Do not attempt to drag the animal

6) Be very careful as these are large powerful animals.

Seals regularly come out of the sea to rest. Pups are often left alone on the shore by their mothers who may be offshore, where they can be surprisingly hard to see. Adults and pups can be safely watched from a distance but don’t approach too close, as the parents will be scared off and may abandon their pups. If you think that a seal is sick, injured or really abandoned please take the following next steps:

 

1) Telephone for help

2) Keep people and their dogs away until help arrives

3) Do not get too close to injured seals or pups – they can bite

 

Call British Divers Marine Life Rescue on the following UK national hotline:

01825 765546. If you’re based in Wales and would like to seek advice from a Pembrokeshire-based rescue centre, contact Terry Leadbetter on 01646 692943

or 07970 285086.