Wildlife Response

Stranding Guidelines

24-Hour Stranding Hotline

If you locate an orphaned, injured, or stranded marine mammal on any coastline in Alaska, do not approach or touch the animal. Call our response operators immediately.

📞 1-888-774-SEAL (7325)

Three Step Response Protocol

  1. 1. Keep Your Distance Federal law prohibits approaching harbor seals, sea otters, or sea lions within 100 yards. Approaching may scare off protective mothers.
  2. 2. Observe & Record Note exact physical characteristics, behavior, breathing rate, and visible injuries. Document your GPS coordinates if possible.
  3. 3. Take & Send Photos If safe to do so from a distance, snap clear photos of the animal and its surroundings to text/email to our veterinary coordinators.

Federal Authorizations

It is illegal to harass, touch, capture, or move marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

⚠️ The Alaska SeaLife Center operates under official permits issued by NOAA/NMFS and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to perform lawful rescue, transport, and veterinary rehabilitation.