Oiled Pinnipeds, Capture, and Handling. Techniques In cases of light to moderate oiling of animals on shore, they should be monitored by individuals knowledgeable in pinniped biology and behavior to see if they can clear themselves of the oil or to detect deterioration in their health status that requires intervention. Moribund pinnipeds that have been impacted may be candidates for euthanasia, and this will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In- situ treatment on the beach can be considered if it is feasible to capture, anesthetize, clean, and release the animals on site. Pinnipeds should be considered for washing and immediate release at or near the capture sight if the threat of re- oiling is minimal (Xxxxx and St. Xxxxx 1995) (Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxx 2005). Pinnipeds generally tolerate short-term capture and transport and do not seem to be highly susceptible to capture myopathy (Xxxxx and St. Xxxxx 1995). Heavily oiled and obviously oil-impaired pinnipeds may be considered for capture and cleaning. Temporary holding pens filled with absorbent sphagnum xxxx may be an option for heavily oiled pinnipeds; this would reduce handling, absorb oil from the pelt of the animal, and allow monitoring of the animal’s overall health. In a large spill and/or when oil is expected to persist in the environment frequented by pinnipeds, it may be necessary to capture, rehabilitate, and hold pinnipeds until their health and the environmental conditions improve and re-oiling is unlikely. The Marine Mammal Oil Spill Guidelines are a thorough guide to wildlife recovery and transportation and should be referenced when pinniped capture is being considered. A decision to capture should consider such factors as sex, age, reproductive state, size of the individual animal, and location with respect to other marine mammals. The potential benefits of capture must outweigh potential negative consequences, and capture is to be conducted in accordance with the Wildlife Recovery and Transportation section of the Marine Mammal Oil Spill Response Guidelines. Top priority is personnel safety; capture and transportation of oiled marine mammals should be performed only by qualified personnel who have received the appropriate safety training, as well as marine mammal handling and restraint training. Local marine mammal stranding network responders and biologists are instrumental in this task, and a list of trained responders can be obtained from the Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator within NOAA Fisheries. Pinni...
