Did you know SR3 provides care for small cetaceans like harbor porpoises? If you find one stranded on the beach:
❌ Never push them back into the ocean
❌ Never approach the animal or let pets interact with them
❌ Never pour water on the animal or place anything on them
✅ Call trained responders right away to alert them to the situation
✅ Keep people and pets far away to minimize the animal’s stress and prevent injuries
✅ Take photos and videos from a distance
While they do breathe air, beached whales, dolphins and porpoises are likely suffering from illnesses or injuries that led to their stranding and they need immediate medical care. The best thing you can do to help is to call experts that can assess the situation and respond rapidly.
SR3’s response line is 206-947-4253 and you can find your local responders in this map.
SR3 staff caring for a harbor porpoise that stranded in the Puget Sound in 2023. Read about that patient’s story here.