National Parks and Wildlife Service / Minister for Arts and Heritage : Revise the Policy in place for live strandings of WHALES and Dolphins

The current policy of the NPWS is to allow only one attempt to re-float a Whale or Dolphin. This is not acceptable as it needs to take into consideration more scenarios. EACH LIVE STRANDING is different. Therefore there should be a Standard Cyclical Process; which will allow for the evaluation, planning, implementation and continuous re-evaluation, if necessary of each individual live stranding.
A revised Live Stranding Policy would enable different plans for different scenarios and not be rigid!! The cetacean should be given ample opportunity to be re-floated. The Balliness Stranding in Co. Donegal shows even in their weakened state they would prefer to be in the sea. The Plight of these Pilot Whales presented so many factors; the environment i.e. near the mouth of an estuary, islands, breaks etc. all of which added complications to getting the whole lot out...
There has to be someone who would at least be on the end of the phone that can give advice, until a local or a few locals can gather, it would be great if someone with local knowledge can get to the scene and help or lead the action plan if not over the phone will have to do. Life is precious; we shouldn't be too quick to take it. Give STRONG whales enough chance to survive! What harm is that doing? We don’t know what is happening with them, they might just need time. Take them way out to sea. Keep them in their natural habitat or when this is not appropriate keep the animal as comfortable as possible to alleviate suffering using various comfort measures up to and including euthanasia if necessary.
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