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Report Dead or Distressed Animals

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Photo Credit: Philip Charles

The process for reporting a dead or distressed animal varies by region. Please use the tables below to find your regional contact.

Be prepared to note:

  • Date, time and location (latitude/longitude) of animal if you can

  • Type of animal

  • Behaviours of the animal you observed

  • Entangling gear

  • Any visible injuries

Keep your distance and abide by the Marine Mammal Regulations in your region.

Safety: Do not approach or attempt to assist marine mammals in distress. Wild animals can be extremely dangerous and may carry pathogens that can pass to humans. Rescue attempts should only be attempted by trained professionals.

Entanglement: Do not remove any fishing gear or rope that may be trailing from the animal. Anchored animals are easier to find, and long trailing gear is helpful to the trained response team. If possible, standby the entangled animal at a safe distance.

CANADA

Region

Contact Information

Pacific

Central & Arctic

  • Northwest Territories - Inuvik: 1-867-777-7500

  • Northwest Territories - Yellowknife: 1-867-669-4900

  • Nunavut - Iqaluit: 1-867-979-8000

Quebec

  • Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network (QMMERN):
    1-877-722-5346

New Brunswick, Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland & Labrador

  • Whale Release and Strandings Newfoundland and Labrador (Tangly Whales Inc.): 1-888-895-3003 or 1-709-895-3003

UNITED STATES

Region

Contact Information

Alaska

  • NOAA Fisheries Alaska Statewide 2r-Hour Stranding Hotline: 877-925-7773

West Coast

  • West Coast Region Stranding Hotline: 1-866-767-6114

  • Entanglement Reporting Hotline: 1-877-SOS-WHAL or 1877-767-9425

  • The U.S. Coast Guard: VHF Ch. 16

Pacific Islands

  • Hawai’i Statewide Marine Animal Stranding, Entanglement, and Reporting Hotline: 888-256-9840

Southeast

  • NOAA Fisheries Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline: 877-942-5343 or 877-WHALE-HELP

  • NOAA Fisheries Southeast Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network Hotline: 844-732-8785 or 877-SEA-TRTL

New England/Mid-Atlantic

  • Northeast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Entanglement Hotline: 866-755-6622 or 866-755-NOAA

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