Drishti Lifesavers recently concluded Annual Refresher Training on Marine Wildlife Rescue and Handling

Goa’s state – appointed lifesaving service Drishti Marine, recently held a training session for their 400 strong lifesaving force on marine wildlife (mammals/sea turtles) rescue and handling. The training is part of Drishti Marine’s annual refresher course which is held for all lifesavers in the monsoon months.

“The programme conducted for the lifesaving team over a period of two days is based on global standard procedures in rescue and handling of marine wildlife and carcasses. In addition to being educated in internationally recognised first response methods for dealing with stranded marine species that washes up on beaches, identification of different forms of marine creatures as well as their movement patterns are part of the training, “explained Navin Awasthi Operations Head at Drishti Marine.

“This annual refresher training is based on an initiative established by Goa Forest Department in 2017 in collaboration with IUCN-India & local social enterprise Terra Conscious to create a statewide Marine Wildlife Stranding Response & Monitoring Network in Goa. The initial trainings for the lifesavers were conducted by subject experts with support provided by IUCN-India. Since then, the network has grown over the past 5 years to include annual refresher trainings ; coordinating support provided by Drishti Marine Foundation. The Foundation also consults with species experts as well as veterinarians from Reefwatch India (who provide veterinary support to the Forest Dept), to provide guidance for timely response and support to the State Forest Department.” – Puja Mitra, Network Coordinator – Drishti Marine Foundation & Founder, Terra Conscious. 

For the past several years, Drishti’s lifesavers who patrol Goa’s 105 km coastline are first responders to water – based rescues and medical emergencies and incidents that require human intervention. Additionally the force has taken on the responsibility of marine wildlife rescue and handling on the shoreline from 2017 onwards.  This provides the necessary support to the State Forest Department.  

Detailing the marine wildlife training modules, Santano Fernandes, Training Instructor, Drishti Marine added “The lifesavers have been trained in assigning codes that define whether the animal is alive and needs treatment or if it washes ashore dead, then to ascertain at what stage of decomposition it has reached. They have also been trained to take photographs and measurement of the carcass which can help identify the species, age, and gender of the marine animal. Furthermore, they are trained on how to safely lift , transport and handle sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds.”

There are different species of marine wildlife that have been reported from Goa’s coast including the residential species Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Sousa plumbea) and Finless Porpoise. Sea Turtle (reptile) species such as Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Green Turtle have been reported from Goa’s coastline. Even snakes have been reported from the beaches, usually stuck in fencing or ghost nets as well as various species of pelagic birds. 

• Cordon off the area to prevent crowds, ensure onlookers remain at more than 25 meters from the animal.

• Report the stranding case to the State Forest Department for further guidance. 

• Ensure that the blow hole is not blocked by sand or water (in case of mammals).
• Ensure that the animal is not made to rest on flippers or upside down.

• Ensure the animal’s skin is moist by covering it with a wet cloth and periodically pour water over the cloth to keep it moist.
• Construct a temporary structure over the animal to protect it from the sun (in case of live mammals/reptile stranding)
• Move the animal towards the water by supporting its underside with the use of a sling. The sling can be made of cloth, towels, blankets or tarapaulin and must be held by the people on either side to ensure maximum support. Release the sling only once the animal is able to keep itself afloat and swim (in case of release as guided by veterinarians)
• Monitor the animal in case it strands again. 

• Report the stranding to the State Forest Department. 
• Ensure the crowds are kept away from the stranded animal as the carcass could carry transmittable diseases.

• Photograph the animals-head, jaw, dorsal fin, genital areas and fluke.
• Photograph and note down any injury marks and wounds.
• Record information about the location of the stranding, time of sighting and the condition of the carcass when sighted.
• Take carcass measurements as much as possible without touching the carcass.