Marine mammals may beach themselves along the Ventura County coastline. Sometimes they will already be dead, others may be having seizures, and others may just be attempting to warm themselves. These animals are protected by and under the strict jurisdiction of the U.S. Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service. Under their guidance and authority, the Ventura County Department of Animal Regulation has been tasked with monitoring and transporting to rehab certain of these beached animals. If you encounter a live but sick or injured beached marine mammal, DO NOT TOUCH or IN ANY WAY BOTHER IT . Keep children and pets away from it and report the location to the Department of Animal Regulation at 388-4341. An Officer or volunteer will check on the well being of the animal but must, at the direction of NOAA, leave the animal for at least 48 hours before intervening. Dead animals will be buried by the appropriate local agency depending upon jurisdiction. While unpleasant to observe, this is an annual and naturally occurring event. Most of the sick animals that do beach themselves will not recover from the toxin.
CONTACTS
NOAA, National Marine Fisheries: Phone: 562-980-4000
Links To Other Sites
Marine Mammal Care Center
Marine Mammal Protection Act