It’s important to remember that we share our beaches and natural spaces with many wildlife, including the occasional marine mammal found on our shores. In the event you find a marine mammal either stranded or occupying the beach, remember these steps:

Keep your distance!
Stay at least 150 feet away from the animal, and make sure others do the same.

Keep noise to a minimum!
Loud sounds can stress the animal or jeopardize its health. For the safety of the animal as well as your own, refrain from making too much noise.

Call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 831-624-6403 or the respective wildlife organizations listed below:

• ​​Marine Mammal Center
  415-289-7325
  (for stranded pinnipeds like seals and sea lions; or for cetaceans such as whales and dolphins)
• Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
  831-771-4422
  ​(for deceased pinnipeds or cetaceans)
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
  Security Office: 831-648-4840
  (for sea otters)
• SPCA Monterey County
  831-373-2631
  (for stranded birds)
• SPCA Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
  831-264-5427
  (for owls, deer, bats, and other wildlife)
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
  www.reportband.gov
  (for banded or tagged birds only)

For more information, check out the steps to report a stranded marine mammal or visit the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network page on NOAA’s website.