If you observe a marine mammal stranded or about to strand, contact the local RNE contact-person : 

• Martinique: 06 96 03 02 04 (ROCEM)
• Guadeloupe: 06 90 57 19 44 (Network of marine mammal strandings in the Guadeloupe archipelago)
• Saint-Barthélemy: 06 90 31 70 73 (Territorial Environnent Agency)
• Saint-Martin: 06 90 38 77 71 (Saint-Martin Nature Reserve)

In the event of a dead animal:

• Do not handle the animal to avoid any risk of disease transmission
• Regardless of its state of decay, the animal will be examined as soon as possible
• The remains will be removed by the beach cleaning services (municipality or department)

In the event of a living animal:

• Do not handle the animal to avoid injury
• Do not climb on the animal
• Remember that a wild animal in distress will defend itself (bites, blows, etc.)
• Avoid crowds, agitation and noise that could stress the animal
• Do not attempt a release without the assistance of network correspondents or a State representative
• Protect the animal from sun rays with a parasol
• Protect the animal from desiccation (drying out) by covering it with a wet cloth, taking care not to obstruct its spout which allows it to breathe
• Dig the sand under the animal to facilitate its breathing and prevent it from suffocating under its own weight

What are the handling risks?

• Risk of injury (flip of tail, biting, etc.), falls or cuts
• Risks of contamination (Vibrio sp. Poxvirus)
• Brucella maris, recently discovered and potentially contagious to humans in laboratories, is systematically examined in the spleen of stranded animals
• Autopsies also pose health risks (Erysipelas due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae)