Why Do Marine Mammals Strand on Land and How Can Humans Help?

Abstract

Have you ever heard about, or maybe even seen, a whale or a dolphin that was helplessly lying on the beach or stuck in very shallow water? These are called “stranding events” or “strandings,” and have been documented since the fourth century. Back then, strandings involving cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) were welcome events because they provided a rich source of food and other resources for the people nearby. But today, we tend to see strandings as events in which animals need human help. There are several types of strandings, each with their own possible causes. In this article, we explain what stranding events are, what might cause them, and how you can help if you ever find a stranded animal.