WDC joins US network to help rescue whales and dolphins

Goods news for whales and dolphins in the US. WDC’s team there has officially joined the Marine Mammal Stranding Network and is now authorised to respond to strandings along a section of the Massachusetts coastline, helping efforts to save marine mammals that may get into difficulties and wash up on the shoreline there.

Thousands of whales and dolphins and porpoises wash up on shores across the globe every year. A live whale or dolphin beached on the shore is almost always in danger of death and will require immediate help. Many come onto the shore because they are old, sick, injured and/or disorientated.

As well as helping to save the lives of whales, dolphins and other marine mammals, the Marine Mammal Network in the US also investigates the reasons behind their deaths such as unusual mortality events of humpback, minke, and North Atlantic right whales.

NOAA, the US federal agency responsible for national marine resources, oversees the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Programme and is thrilled to now have WDC’s support. Ainsley Smith, NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator said: ‘The WDC team brings passion and years of experience in marine mammal conservation to the Network.’

Find out more about at why whales and dolphins strand.