Stranded marine mammals

Occasionally marine mammals come ashore because they are sick or injured.  They may also wash up dead on the beach.  There are a number of organisations in the UK that deal with these two types of stranded animals.  Please call them directly as they will be able to respond.  We do not deal with sick or injured animals.

For DEAD cetaceans or seals (and turtles)

In the UK the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme was set up to deal with any reports of dead whales, dolphins or porpoises that wash ashore.  There are different telephone numbers for England, Wales and Scotland listed below.

England (cetaceans): Natural History Museum 0800 6520333
England (seals & turtles): Zoological Society of London 0207 4496672
Wales (all species): Marine Environmental Monitoring 01348 875000
Scotland (all species): Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS)
07979 245893

More information on reporting stranded marine animals in Scotland can be found at the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme website.

For LIVE cetaceans or seals

England: British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)  01825 765546
  RSPCA 03001 234999
Wales: British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)  01825 765546
  Welsh Marine Life Rescue (WMLR) 07970 285086
  RSPCA 03001 234999
Scotland: British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)  01825 765546
  SSPCA 03000 999999

These organisations will respond to sick and injured animals and have facilities to rescue and rehabilitate seals.  Do not approach the animal too closely as this will cause further distress and keep dogs away.