Rescue and Rehab HOW TO DEAL WITH A STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL

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HOW TO DEAL WITH A STRANDED MARINE MAMMAL

WHAT TO DO:

	If you see a marine mammal that is hurt or in trouble, please call the police department immediately, and the Florida Marine Patrol at 1-800-DIAL-FMP.
	Keep the animal(s) skin moist, stranded marine mammals are susceptible to sunburn and overheating even in cold weather. Use wet towels or splash water across their skin being careful to keep water away from the blowhole.
	Keep onlookers at a distance.
	Make as little noise as possible. Excessive stress can contribute to the animals death.
	Try to keep the animals blowhole upright.

DO NOT:

	Stand near the tail or head. The fluke can be a very powerful weapon if the animal is frightened or startled. Some marine mammals have been known to bite.
	Push or pull on the flippers, flukes, or head.
	Cover the blowhole.
	Let water or sand enter the blowhole. When wetting down the animal, do not wet the blowhole area until directly after a good clean breath. If the animals breathing is erratic, do not attempt to wet the blowhole area at all.
	Apply sun screen or blocks to the animals skin.
	Touch the animal more than is absolutely necessary. No petting!

NOTE:

In some countries it is illegal to give unauthorized first aid to a cetacean including the basics above. This is true in the United States, but to our knowledge no one has ever been prosecuted for trying to help. Before doing anything, call your local police department or marine patrol office to get expert assistance on site. People have been prosecuted for intentionally harming stranded marine mammals.

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