Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Created: 12/12/96 Last Updated: 06/24/97

A special thanks to PREMIER ONE INC. for donating this web space to the LMMSN.

Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Statement Of Purpose

The Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network is a volunteer organization operating under the auspices of the United States Marine Mammal Stranding Network; the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972; the Endangered Species Act; and the Animal Welfare Act. The network is administered by the Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - The entire US network is staffed mainly by volunteers.

The US Marine Mammal Stranding Network has three legally mandated purposes:

  1. Provide rapid and effective action that will best serve the well being of the stranded animal(s).
  2. Collect and ensure proper data collection and analyses.
  3. Detect anomalous mortality events with near real time reporting.

Louisiana's network is administered by the National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory in Pascagoula, Mississippi and by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

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How To Help The LMMSN

Funding for the network comes entirely from private and corporate donations as well as the support of universities and private citizens through the volunteer responder program. There is currently no federal or state funding for the network due to the federal and state budgetary situations.

If you would like to help with our program, donations can be sent to:

Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network
c/o Louisiana State University - School of Veterinary Medicine
(LSU-SVM)
Dept of Clinical Sciences
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

All funds go towards equipment and supplies needed to respond to strandings in Louisiana.

For a list of supplies needed please see our Wish List.

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Calendar Of Events

    A Monthly meeting is held the third weekend of every month at the LSU Veterinary School of Medicine 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM...The public is welcome to attend. For more details you may contact Don Carpenter at dcarpe@premier.net
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Beached Marine Mammal Information

LMMSN collects information on stranded marine mammals and as a high priority, assists live stranded marine mammals back to sea. LMMSN is very dependant on public assistance on locating strandings. Valuable information can be obtained from all stranded animals. Whether the animal is dead or alive, a person should report it by calling (504)934-5337 or 1-800-442-2511 and leaving their number. In the case of live animals, the following directions should be followed:

  1. DO NOT RETURN THE ANIMAL TO THE SEA. - Keep people and pets away from it. Only one or two people are needed until expert help arrives.
  2. Relieve pressure on the flippers by digging pits under them in the sand.
  3. Keep the animal cool and wet by splashing water on the skin. Avoid getting water in the blowhole.
  4. Apply wet cloth to the animal. Keep the blowhole free of obstructions and take care not to cover the dorsal fin, flippers or tail.
  5. Apply sunscreen or zinc oxide, not oil. Be careful around the powerful tail.

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Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network Contact Numbers

To report a stranded dolphin, whale or manatee contact:

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries 1-800-442-2511(24hrs. 7 days a week)
Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network -
Digital pager 1-504-934-5337

To write to the LMMSN:

Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network
c/o Louisiana State University - School of Veterinary Medicine
(LSU-SVM)
Dept of Clinical Sciences
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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Historical Stranding Data

Monthly Stranding Data: 1990 - 1997
19901991199219931994199519961997
January404108193
February15011131912
March3315121351712
April3451610175195
May18301137651
June1103728
July5000811
August1100401
September0202202
October0000011
November1000102
December3011201

Graph of Reported Strandings in LA: 1977-1996

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Contributors And Supporters Of LMMSN

Many thanks to those who have supported the LMMSN through their donations and/or time: