In the Region :: Marine
Mammals :: Marine
Turtles :: Strandings
:: Beach Response
 BEACH
RESPONSE
Beach rescue is a coordinated operation involving several Stranding
Network member institutions: animal welfare groups, technical specialists
(such as veterinarians), trained private citizens, municipal employees
(such as animal control officers, policemen and firemen), and scientific
institutions. For the NMLC, the Cape Cod Stranding Network and other
regional stranding programs are the EMTs; the NMLC will be the hospital.
Handling marine animals is regulated by the federal government.
Only people who have been trained and who have authorization from
the government may touch stranded whales, dolphins, seals, and sea
turtles.
 Decision-making
on the beach-triage
After careful assessment of the animal's condition, a determination
is made on the beach about which of three directions is appropriate
for that animal:
1. Animals that are too badly injured or ill to survive are euthanized.
Euthanization is carried out by trained veterinarians using lethal
injections. The bodies are then autopsied (called necropsy) and
tissue samples collected for later analysis. Knowledge gained in
this research can aid in future treatments of stranded animals.
2. Animals that are healthy enough to be returned to the ocean
without care are transported to deeper water and released.
Transport involves lifting equipment such as stretchers and poles,
trailers and trucks. Rescuers are often in the water for long periods
of time and must be dressed in dry suits.
3. Animals that cannot be returned to the ocean right away may
be candidates for rehabilitation and later release. When the
NMLC is renovated and can provide care for the full range of marine
animals that strand, animals that can be rehabilitated will be transported
there by private vehicles, military aircraft or ships, or government
fisheries vessels.
Decision Making on the Beach - Other
Rescue volunteers must make several determinations before actually
working with the animals:
How many animals are involved?
Are more people needed to help?
Is more equipment needed?
What are the weather and tide conditions? Stormy weather
can prevent rescuers from reaching the animals. High wave conditions
can put rescuers in danger of being battered by a large animal.
Tides frequently influence when animals can be reached, or when
they can be returned to the water.
What is the stranding site like? Can people and rescue
vehicles easily reach the site? Will special equipment be needed
to navigate salt marsh areas or sandy beaches?
What species has stranded? The various species of
whales and dolphins have different social structures and behaviors.
The stress and trauma of stranding affects the different species
in varying ways. Rescuers are trained in health assessment and decision-making
based on knowledge of the animals.
 The
science of marine mammal stranding
Collecting biological data -Rescuers make physical measurements
and take blood samples before returning healthy animals to the water.
An identifying tag is attached painlessly for future identification
purposes.
Tissue samples are also taken from dead animals. Blood samples,
tissue samples, physical measurements and other data are analyzed
by scientists and can help researchers determine causes for marine
animal strandings.
Tagging animals to be released - Rescuers tag animals
before returning them to the water. Specially numbered tags aid
in identifying an animal if it comes ashore again.
When possible, animals being released are tagged with a radio-telemetry
package. Tracking such animals gives information about their diving,
feeding, and socializing activities.
Disposing of dead animals - When a stranded marine
mammal dies, a necropsy (autopsy of an animal) is performed. More
information is learned about the animal's condition by analyzing
tissues and examining organs, data which will ultimately help in
understanding the stranding phenomenon.
Disposing of dead animals can be a challenge, especially with large
animals or with a large number of animals. Burial on the beach or
at sea is common. Some bodies go to museums and other institutions
for display and research purposes.
 Harassment
Not all seals that are on shore are stranded. Seals naturally "haul
out" to rest, to bask in the sun, or to give birth. Any human
behavior that changes their behavior is considered harassment and
is against the regulations. If you are on the beach with a seal,
stay away, keep your pets and children away.
If you see a marine animal that is on the beach, call your local
police or natural resource officer. If the animal is on a Cape Cod
beach, call the Cape Cod Stranding Network hotline at 508 743-9548.
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