Stranded Marine Animals
What Do You Do?
Grey seal pup on beach
If you come across a stranded marine animal,  the following steps should be taken to help the animal:


  1. Do not touch, pick up, or feed the animal. Do not return the animal to the water. Seals temporarily "haul out" on land to rest and mothers briefly leave their pups while making short trips back out to sea. A beached whale or dolphin should be reported immediately.
     
  2. Do observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet. Keep people and dogs away.
     
  3. Note the physical characteristics (size and fur/body color). This will help us determine the species. It will also affect the types of rescue equipment and volunteers that will be needed.
     
  4. Note the animal's condition. Is it weak and gaunt? Are there any open wounds?
     
  5. Does it have any identification tags or markings?
     
  6. Determine the exact location of the animal for accurate directions.  Animals can be assessed and rescued if they can be found more easily.
     
  7. When you call to report the stranding, leave any information about the stranding (size/type/number of animals), as well as a contact name and telephone number, if possible, so that the rescue team can obtain more information if needed.


Who to Call

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Live or Dead Seals, Porpoises, Dophins and Whales stranded on the coast of Maine


Not In Maine?

  Please contact the:
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's 24-hour phone line
1-800-853-1964

or refer to the National Marine Fisheries Service Regions Stranding Participants Hotlines webpage.
   
  Marine mammals are protected by federal law. It is illegal for unauthorized persons to touch, harass or prompt the animal in any way to change its natural behavior. It is also stressful to the wild animal!
   

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