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In the United States, call the NOAA Fisheries 24/7 marine mammal stranding hotline for your region. It connects your report to local responders. Keep people and pets well back; do not touch, move, feed, chase, or try to rescue the animal.
Which number should you call?
Use the NOAA Fisheries regional hotline that serves the place where you found the animal. The numbers below are U.S. contacts; for the current region and state listing, check NOAA Fisheries’ reporting directory.
| NOAA region | 24/7 stranding hotline |
|---|---|
| Alaska | (877) 925-7773 |
| Greater Atlantic | (866) 755-6622 |
| Pacific Islands | (888) 256-9840 |
| Southeast | (877) 942-5343 |
| West Coast | (866) 767-6114 |
These hotlines are listed by NOAA’s National Marine Mammal Stranding Response Network. Report live, injured, entangled, and dead animals. If you are unsure whether an animal is stranded, call the regional network for advice rather than approaching it.
What to do while you wait
- Call promptly. Give the clearest location you can: an address, beach access point, nearby landmark, or coordinates if available.
- Keep a safe distance. NOAA’s general directory advises staying at least 50 yards (150 feet) from marine mammals and sea turtles. Regional instructions may differ: NOAA’s West Coast guidance says at least 100 yards, and Greater Atlantic guidance requests photos from 150 feet away. Follow the local network’s direction and do not move closer to get a better view.
- Keep others and pets back. Ask bystanders to give the animal room, and keep dogs away. NOAA’s West Coast guidance says pets should remain 100 yards away.
- Do not handle or interfere. Do not touch, move, feed, chase, corral, or attempt to disentangle the animal. Handling and disentanglement are for trained, authorized responders.
- Share observations. Report the date and time, number of animals, whether each appears alive or dead, and visible condition. Add a species or description if known. For an entangled animal, describe the gear and where it is caught. Photos or video can help only if taken from a safe and legal distance.
- Wait nearby only if it is safe. Keep the area calm, do not block the animal’s movement, and let responders locate and assess it. NOAA notes that a response may not be possible if it would put human safety at risk; no response-time guarantee is stated.
If you find a seal or sea lion on shore
Some seals and sea lions haul out to rest, so an animal on the beach is not automatically stranded. NOAA’s West Coast guidance says a live pinniped on shore for more than 24 hours should be reported. Report an animal that appears sick or injured, and report any dead marine mammal. If you cannot tell whether it needs help, call the network and keep your distance.
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If a whale appears entangled off the U.S. West Coast
For a suspected whale entanglement off California, Oregon, or Washington, NOAA lists a separate hotline: 1-877-SOS-WHAL (1-877-767-9425). NOAA also identifies the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 as a reporting option. This is not a do-it-yourself rescue: only experienced, authorized, properly equipped responders should attempt disentanglement. Keep clear and follow their instructions.
If you are outside the United States
The numbers above apply to U.S. NOAA regions, not other countries. Contact the responsible wildlife or marine mammal stranding authority in your country; if you do not know it, local emergency or wildlife authorities can direct you. Keep away from the animal while seeking the right contact.
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Can an app be used to report a stranding?
NOAA lists the Dolphin and Whale 911 app as an optional reporting method for Apple devices. A regional hotline remains a direct way to report an animal and reach the local stranding network.
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