Live Marine Mammal. Rescue Considerations Decisions to assist oiled and/or injured marine mammals are dependent on the size of the animal, habitat, biology, degree of perceived oiling or impact, and nature of the marine mammals involved, as well as available resources. This plan will address three distinct marine mammal groups: pinnipeds, small cetaceans (length ≤ 10 feet), and large cetaceans (length > 10 feet). If rehabilitation is an option, the primary goal should be to treat and then release healthy animals back into their natural environment. Facility capacity varies throughout the region, and a limited number of facilities are located in various cities in Washington and Oregon. If longer-term holding and/or treatment of large numbers of pinnipeds is needed, temporary facilities may need to be identified or built at a suitable upland site. Any marine mammals identified as needing treatment and taken in by the Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Group will be transported, housed, and treated in accordance with the Best Practices for Marine Mammal Stranding Response, Rehabilitation, and Release. The specific protocol for cleaning marine mammals of oil can be found in the Animal Washing and Continued Care section of the Marine Mammal Oil Spill Response Guidelines. Following treatment and rehabilitation, the attending marine mammal veterinarian must determine whether individual animals are suitable for release. The determination must be submitted to the Office of Protected Resources for approval prior to release. Considerations for release of the animal include the risk to the wild population (potential to infect wild populations with diseases contracted during treatment), its health, behavior, ability to sustain itself in the wild, and the availability of suitable oil-free habitat.
