Tenerife Drills Marine Mammal Stranding Response

Tenerife recently held a training exercise on El Médano beach to practice what to do when marine mammals get stranded. The goal was to improve how different groups work together to help these animals until vets and other experts arrive. It also aimed to train staff from various government bodies, private companies, and other organisations.

Blanca Pérez, the Island Council's Councillor for Natural Environment, explained in a press release that this drill was "necessary." She noted that marine animals often get stranded because they die naturally or are hit by boats. When this happens, many different government departments, organisations, and volunteers need to step in, so it's important to have clear procedures and roles. Pérez added, "We need technical and scientific advice from everyone, even though the Island Council is responsible for removing the animal."

The exercise was coordinated by vets from the La Tahonilla Wildlife Recovery Center (CRFS) and a veterinary team from the University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety of the ULGC, working with the Loro Parque Foundation. Many groups took part, including staff from Granadilla City Council, led by Mayor José Domingo Regalado, along with members of the Local Police, National Police, Civil Guard, Fire Department, Civil Protection, and the Red Cross.

The Tenerife Island Council reminds the public that if they see a stranded animal, they should call 112. This call will alert the La Tahonilla CRFS, which will then coordinate a "successful" rescue. Local councils and police, among others, play a key role in setting up the necessary security around the incident.

Antonio Fernández, a Professor of Animal Pathology at ULGPC, praised the efforts to support the cetacean care plan used by the La Tahonilla center. He said the center has become a "leading example" for saving animals and protecting the island's wildlife.

He also highlighted the involvement of vets from his university, the support from State Security Forces and the City Council, and the Loro Parque Foundation, which "provided equipment and logistical help for the stranding operations."

The training had two parts: a classroom session and a practical exercise, both held in a specific area of El Médano beach. One part involved practicing how to care for a group of small marine mammals, focusing on how to divide tasks during a simulated stranding.

In this scenario, different roles were assigned, such as first responders, veterinary assessors, and logistics managers. Experts also practiced making critical decisions, like whether to humanely put an animal down, return it to the sea, or move it to a recovery center.

The second part simulated a medium-sized marine mammal stranding. Participants practiced helping the animal on the sand and learned how to use a rescue pontoon to move it and return it to the sea.