Co. Kerry is home to one of Ireland’s main live-stranding hotspots and has accounted for 43% of all animals live stranded around the island of Ireland so far this year.
A hotspot is an area where strandings repeatedly occur. Common dolphins are an open-water species and can struggle to navigate the extensive sandflats, mudflats, sandbars and channels as the tide falls. Unable to find their way back to open water in time, they can become stranded.
Our IWDG responders and local community work hand in hand, raising the alarm early and dropping everything to help common dolphins in difficulty. 
Now we’re asking for your help to make their job easier—a dedicated rescue trailer containing all the equipment and PPE they need, packed and ready to go for the next emergency.
Based in Cloghane, it would help the team respond more quickly to strandings across Kerry and transport common dolphins when relocation to a suitable release site is needed.
Please donate if you can, or share our fundraiser. Every contribution helps! 
If your business would like to make a significant contribution towards the trailer, please contact us directly enquiries@iwdg.ie to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
⚠️ If you find a live-stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise:
- Never drag or pull the animal by its tail or fins. This can cause severe pain and serious injury.
- Stay calm, keep your distance, keep dogs away and minimise noise and disturbance.
- Do not put yourself at risk by entering mud or water.
- Don’t push dolphins back into streams or puddles as they may never find its way back out to open water if it they aren’t a coastal species and are likely get beached on the next low tide.
- If safe, take a short video and note the exact location using GPS coordinates or a Google Maps pin.
Call the IWDG Live Stranding Hotline on 097 28118 immediately. You will receive advice and a mobile number to send your video and location to. We will contact the nearest available responders.
Please seek advice before attempting to move or refloat an animal. Your call can make all the difference.