Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The Coastal Studies Lab is the South Padre Island Regional Headquarters of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The South Padre Island Region includes: Cameron County and Willacy County south of Mansfield Pass. The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN), founded in 1980, is a nonprofit volunteer-based organization dedicated to the understanding and conservation of marine mammals. The Network rescues and rehabilitates marine mammals that strand along the Texas Coast, providing food, medical treatment and 24-hour-a-day observation. Network volunteers in six regions along the coast respond immediately when a stranding is reported.

Locally, to report a stranded dolphin, whale, or manatee, call the Coastal Studies Lab (956) 761-2644.

The following information will be needed to report:

1. Descriptive Location
   • Coordinates (if attainable)
   • Terrain description (loose, dry sand vs. hard or wet sand)
2. Condition of marine mammal (alive, dead, or injured)
3. Description of marine mammal
   • Adult vs pup/calf
   • Scales are helpful (an image with a pen or shoe next to animal)
4. Images of stranded marine mammal
   • Clear/non-blurry
   • Whole body image
   • Head/mouth image
   • Any gear/debris that is associated with animal

NOTE: DO NOT push the marine mammal back into the water. For your safety and the mammal's safety please notify the following contacts.

For local marine mammal strandings

• Jennifer Brouwen, TMMSN South Padre Island Regional Coordinator jennifer.brouwen01@utrgv.edu
  Office (956) 761- 2644 Cell (956) 789-4235

• Laura George Grayson, UTRGV Coastal Studies Lab Program Manager  laura.georgegrayson@utrgv.edu
  Office (956) 761-2644 Direct Line (956) 882-4076

Statewide Marine Mammal Stranding Emergency Telephone Number: CALL 1-800-9MAMMAL or 1-800-962-6625