Reporting Sick, Injured, or Entangled Marine Mammal
If you see a stranded, injured, or entangled marine mammal, it’s important to act quickly and responsibly:
- Keep your distance. Do not touch, feed, or approach the animal.
- Report it immediately to your local stranding network through NOAA’s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program.
- You can also use the Dolphin & Whale 911 app to report sightings from your smartphone (Download for iOS).
Please note: The National Marine Mammal Foundation does not operate a public hotline for reporting marine mammal strandings or emergencies. For immediate assistance, contact the appropriate local authorities or refer to NOAA’s Stranding Hotline Directory.
San Diego County only: Call SeaWorld’s rescue hotline at 1-800-541-SEAL (7325) or email them at SW********@******ld.com. All others, please refer to the NOAA’s Stranding Hotline Directory.
When reporting a stranded marine mammal, please include the following details – only if it is safe to do so:
- Date and time the animal was last seen
- Location (beach name, landmark, address, GPS coordinates, etc.)
- Number of animals present
- Condition of the animal (alive or deceased)
- Estimated size (you can compare to a common dog breed)
- Visible signs of injury or entanglement (e.g., fishing gear)
- Apparent body condition (Does the animal appear thin? Are ribs, hips, or spine visible?)
- Species, if known
Contact Us
Have a question, partnership inquiry, or need more information? We’re happy to hear from you.
REMINDER: This form is not monitored for emergency wildlife response.
For stranded or injured marine mammals, please contact your local stranding network directly.
Locations
San Diego, CA
Mailing address:
National Marine Mammal Foundation
2240 Shelter Island Drive Suite 200
San Diego, California 92106
Phone: (877) 360-5527
Charleston, SC
Mailing address:
National Marine Mammal Foundation
3419 Maybank Highway Suite B
Johns Island, SC 29455
Phone: (877) 360-5527
Report injured or stranded marine mammals.
Reporting a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead animal is the best way to make sure professional responders and scientists know about it and can take appropriate action. Numerous organizations around the country are trained and ready to respond. If you see a sick, injured, stranded, or dead marine mammal or sea turtle, immediately contact your local stranding network.
Find your local marine mammal stranding network and their hotline information through NOAA’s Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program. Marine mammal stranding occurrences are increasing on our coastlines. Download this app to report stranded or injured animals. It is easy to use, informative and supported by NOAA.
