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 | 0207 9425155 |
| 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) |
01463 243030 or 07979 245893 (out of hours) |
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 & Wales: | RSPCA | 0300 1234999 |
| British Divers Marine Life Rescue | 01825 765546 | |
| Scotland: | SSPCA | 0131 3390111 |
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.
