First Response Reporting

First Responder Reporting:

HOTLINE: +353 89 4625374.

For members of the public - report dead strandings through the Observers App and report live strandings by calling our stranding Hotline.

A standardised Stranding Report Form is provided in this manual and insures consistency and ease of recording. All completed Stranding Report Forms should be submitted to the ORCA Ireland Marine Mammal Stranding Database by the responders within 24 hrs of the stranding investigation. See contact information and specific details for filling out the form in Appendix A. Whenever possible, video and still images of the animal and stranding site are highly recommended. They are a visual record of the event, and can be sent to other experts for possible assistance and/ or analysis. Images should be taken with a reference scale with known standard size (e.g. ruler, coin) and labeled with the Date, Time, Location, and Animal’s Code Number, if applicable.

The First Responder is the animals’ (and your) best friend. They can care for the animal and protect it until help arrives. If the Stranding Team is more than a couple hours away, this care becomes even more critical. It is very important to brief the First Responder on basic cetacean anatomy to ensure that they cause no harm. Providing first responder care for a stranded cetacean is not a one-person job! It can be difficult and tiring and almost always requires help from others.