Call Hotline if You See a Stranded Marine Mammal, Dead or Alive
Posted May 27, 2021 at 6:55 am by Hayley Day
A Harbor Seal Pup. Wolf Hollow photo
From the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network
As harbor seal pupping season starts up for us in the islands, San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network wants to remind everyone how to be good marine mammal stewards.
If you see an alive or dead stranded marine mammal, please keep your distance, keep other people and dogs away, refrain from touching or harassing the animal, and, most importantly, report it to our 24-hour hotline: 1-800-562-8832.
Last year we received over 200 stranding calls regarding stranded harbor seals, porpoise and sea lions.
While unfortunate, marine mammal strandings are a great way to learn about species populations and ecosystem health.
In addition, our Stranding Network collects deceased marine mammals for necropsies to determine their cause of death. This information allows us to conduct research to protect our local species and ecosystem.
To learn more about what we’ve learned from marine mammal strandings in San Juan County, check out our list of peer-reviewed publications on The Whale Museum website.
Lastly, if you’re interested in becoming a Stranding Network volunteer and responding to strandings or attending necropsies, email the Stranding Network coordinator at [email protected].
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