Cetacean stranding, commonly known as beaching, is a phenomenon in which whales and dolphins strand themselves on land, usually on a beach. Beached whales often die due to dehydration, collapsing under their own weight, or drowning when high tide covers the blowhole.
What do you do if you find a beached dolphin?
What to Do for Stranded Dolphins
- DON'T push the animal back out to sea! ...
- DO stay with the animal until rescuers arrive, but use caution. ...
- If the animal is alive, DO keep its skin moist and cool by splashing water over its body. ...
- If the animal is alive, DON'T cover or obstruct the blowhole.
How many dolphins get beached a year?
Cetacean stranding, more commonly referred to as beaching, refers to the phenomenon of dolphins and whales stranding themselves on beaches. There are around 2,000 strandings each year worldwide, with most resulting in the death of the animal.
