Marine Mammal Response
What is the Marine Mammal Response Team?
The Fisheries and Maritime Museum, together with a number of partners, including the Danish Environmental and Nature Agency, operates the Danish Marine Mammal Stranding Response Team. The response team collects information on seals and whales and monitors their health in Denmark. The program also ensures the rapid euthanasia of sick and emaciated seals and whales, whenever possible. Below, you can read what to do if you find sick or dead marine mammals on the beach.
What should I do if...
If you come across a marine mammal on a beach in Denmark, you may not know how to respond. Here you can read what to do if you find yourself in one of the scenarios below.
I find a sick seal?
Leave the animal where it is and call the nearest office of the Danish Nature Agency here.
You can also call the museum at 76 12 20 00 and press 3 to be transferred to the person on duty in the marine mammal response team.
Do I find abandoned seal pups and hear them crying on the beach?
In Denmark, spotted seals give birth to their pups in June and July. During this time, you may see seal pups lying on the beach. The best advice is to leave the pup alone and keep your distance. It’s not unusual for the mother to leave her pup for short periods to search for food. You may hear the pups crying out. It can sound heartbreaking, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve been abandoned.
However, if the seal pup has been lying in the same spot on the beach for more than 24 hours, it may mean that the mother has become separated from her pup. In that case, you can call the nearest office of the Danish Nature Agency here.
You can also call the museum at 76 12 20 00 and press 3 to be transferred to the person on duty in the marine mammal response team.
Do I find dead seals and whales?
We would very much like to hear from you if you find a dead seal or whale on the beach. Be sure to take a photo of the animal and note where you found it.
You can either call or email the Fisheries and Maritime Museum at 76 12 20 00 or/kontakt@musvest.dk
You can also contact the nearest local office of the Danish Nature Agency.
I find a seal on the beach?
If the seal seems to be doing fine, keep your distance and leave it alone.
Seals that are molting, breeding, or raising their young need peace and quiet.
If you have general questions about seals or whales, please feel free to email us at kontakt@musvest.dk.
