What to do if you've found a deceased marine mammal?

 

In Hong Kong, there is a dedicated team of experts who collect and research the cause of death in marine mammals, particularly the Chinese 'Pink' Dolphins, the Finless Porpoise and various sea turtles. They also offer rescue services for marine life that may be sick or injured (live stranding).

 

Members of “Marine Life Stranding Response Team” (the Team) include the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation’s Scientific Team, Consulting Veterinarians and Conservation Assistants. 

 

This team is always ready to travel to different places in HK to follow-up on cases reported. 

 

How do you report cases? 

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Members of the public are encouraged to....

1. Call 1823 or use the 1823 app to report the case (with photos and pin location) - Request the AFCD Government department.

2. Please provide (as best you can) the following information 

• Date and time of discovery and the location

• Status of the stranded cetacean (alive, slightly or badly decomposed, etc.)

• Length of stranded cetacean and characteristics (e.g. any dorsal fins/ obvious rostrum, etc.)

3. AFCD provides all information to the Marine Life Stranding Response Team, including photos, size of animal, condition of animal, location of animal. The Stranding Team will then head off and find, access and collect the animal. 

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Recently, City University are also involved in helping with the research on these cases, running the First Aquatic Animal Virtopsy Lab, led by Dr. Brian Kot from City University of Hong Kong

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