Live Strandings
A live stranding is a living animal that comes ashore and is unable to return to the sea, occurring in two forms; single strandings and mass strandings. Why cetaceans live strand remains a mystery, and even after investigation it is not always definitively possible to determine the reason behind it. Some causes of live strandings may be due to natural reasons and outside our control, while other causes can be greatly reduced or even eliminated through human actions. The following are a list of causes which may contribute to the incidence of live strandings of cetaceans in Ireland; health and old age, group cohesion and family bonds, navigation error, environmental factors, foraging and anthropogenic causes (human activity).
Emergency hotline for live animals stranded – 097 28118
If you come across a whale, dolphin or porpoise alive on the shore, take a photo or short video of the animals from a short distance away. Find your location on google maps or find your coordinates. Call the Live Stranding Hotline on 097 28118. You will be given advice and given a mobile number for you to send your photo/video and coordinates to. The Live Stranding Coordinator will find the nearest IWDG volunteers to assist.