Basic Response
You get the call that there is an animal on the beach. Now what? In this section aspects of the basic response to a marine mammal stranding are highlighted including how to tell whether the animal is fresh or too gross to post, how to conduct a Level A exam, and how to transport a carcass if a necropsy will be performed.
Species ID
You arrive at the beach to fill out your Level A form and the first thing you must do is decide…what is it? At first, species ID can be challenging but with a little practice this will become second nature…especially for the most common species. Below you will find tools for helping you learn to identify cetaceans from pinnipeds, seals from sea lions, and dolphins from porpoises. After reviewing these species, test your skills by taking our species ID quiz.
Age Determination
Trying to determine the age of an animal can be difficult. There are certain features that can assist in this determination, however, many researchers will rely on straight length to place animals in a life history category (an age class). However, with experience you will be able to pick out many of the features that will alert you to whether an animal is a neonate, an adult, or somewhere in between.
Gender ID
Him or Her? It is not always an easy question to answer! Here you will find tips and tricks for telling male from female in both pinnipeds and cetaceans. With a little practice you should be able to determine gender in just a few seconds during your Level A exam!
When should you leave a carcass on the beach and when should you bring it into the lab? This is one of the first and most important questions to answer after assessing a carcass.
Transporting a carcass can be tricky business. Larger animals pose particular difficulties. Logistical issues that must be considered include safety of volunteers, staff, and the public as well as the location of the animal, the tidal schedule, and beach access.
Preparing for sample collection ahead of time can save you a lot of effort during the necropsy. Sample collection is critical for collecting useful data that will later be used by the pathologist as well as researchers and others who may use the data you collect.
When collecting standard weights and morphometric (physical) measurements from an animal standardization is key to good data collection. When you consider that thousands of people all over the United States and even across the globe collect these measurements, the only way they are useful is if standard techniques are used by all!
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Contact
UCSC Long Marine Lab
100 Shaffer Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.212.1272
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