The law in South Africa is very clear in terms of members of the public handling and rescuing marine animals.
This includes
- dolphins,
- whales,
- turtles,
- seals,
- sea birds,
- penguins; and
- whale sharks,
which were listed as Threatened and Protected Species on 30 May 2017, under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004:
Threatened or Protected Marine Species Regulations: Regulation 64: procedures for stranded or entangled species.
Previous to this, the Marine Living Resources Amendment Act Regulation: 58(2) and 58(6) made provision for members of the public undertaking bona fide attempts to rescue these animals, however, this is no longer the case. The public no longer have the right to, without notice to their local authority, rescue marine wildlife.
Now that the public are no longer legally allowed to rescue marine wildlife, what can they do?
In response to the above regulations and the increasing number of stranded animals, the KZN Stranding Network was established.
This is a voluntary collaboration between various organisations including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the KZN Sharksboard - Maritime Centre of Excellence, Saambr (uShaka Sea World),CROW - Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Second Chance Avian Rescue (SCAR), NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute), EDTEA KZN, South African Police Service (SAPS), Specialised Rescue Unit, local municipalities, NGO’s, community conservancies and many others. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is mandated by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as the provincial coordinator for stranded animals. As a result, the relevant permits and authority to rescue, rehabilitate and transport these animals lie within the KZN Marine Stranding Network.
The members of this Network is a group of skilled and trained professionals who work together to provide knowledge, experience and resources to assist and ensure the best possible outcome for each animal, in terms of animal welfare, conservation and public safety.
Get Involved
Three public workshops have been held along the KZN coastline during 2018 in order to create awareness and to train members of the public who are first responders to stranded marine animals. More workshops are to be held in 2019 – follow / like THE SAAMBRE Facebook Page to be informed of future workshop dates.
Call for Help
It is imperative that members of the public do not attempt to rescue animals without informing the KZN Stranding Network for advice or assistance.
For 24 hour assistance, please contact
uShaka Sea World on 031 328 8222 or 031 328 8060 (after hours).
Download the Stranded Animal Booklet here:https://www.saambr.org.za/animal-rescue/
Report a Stranded Animal
What to do if you find a stranded marine animal
Contact uShaka Sea World
+27 31 328 8222 office hours
+27 31 328 8060 after hours, Public holidays & weekends
Download the Stranded Marine Animal Booklet
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Dolphins & WhalesWhat to do: Contact uShaka Sea World. Guidance will be given to first responders Please do not: Refloat the animal. Please note: Transport by public prohibited. |
PenguinsWhat to do: Contact uShaka Sea World. Place the bird in a ventilated Please do not: Feed. Please note: Transport by public prohibited, unless permission is granted |
SealsWhat to do: Contact uShaka Sea World. Guidance will be given to first responders Cordon off a 5m perimeter Keep people and pets away. Please do not: Harass or chase seal back into Please note: Transport by public prohibited. |
TurtlesWhat to do: Contact uShaka Sea World. Guidance will be given to first responders Please do not: Place the turtle back in the water. Please note: Transport by public |
Thank you to the volunteers and the organisation SAAMBR (The South African Association for Marine Biological Research) for their amazing support to help our marine animals.
