Information on Entangled, Injured or Dead Whales, Dolphins or Porpoises

• Look for buoys or lines trailing behind or wrapped over the animal’s back, flippers, tailstock, head or through the mouth
• Do not get too close to the animal as it can be dangerous
• Do not startle it or run over trailing gear
• Do not attempt to remove gear as this is dangerous and can further injure the animal

• Long-dead animals may be white
• Animals may bloat and eventually burst
• Many larger animals float belly up

Maintain a wide berth, but record:

• Date, time, and location (lat./long.) of animal
• Type of animal (species if possible)
• Description of key body parts, including colour, any tags or unique markings
• Estimated length of the animal
• Description and location of injuries and/or gear (type, colour)
• If the animal is alive, description of the behavior: Is it struggling to surface; free swimming or anchored; and which direction is the animal headed?
• If the animal is dead, the body condition (decomposed, bloated, white)
• If possible, please provide photographs and video of the animal, especially close-ups of the tail, flukes, flippers, entangling gear and visible injuries