British Divers Marine Life Rescue – Saving Marine Mammals

Founded in 1988, British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) is a UK-based marine conservation charity dedicated to rescuing seals, dolphins, whales and other marine mammals in distress.

The organization was established during a devastating disease outbreak affecting common seals in the North Sea. Since then, BDMLR has developed into a nationwide rescue network with more than 3,000 trained volunteer Marine Mammal Medics and a 24-hour emergency hotline.

Its rescue teams respond to stranded whales and dolphins, injured or orphaned seal pups, fishing gear entanglements and marine wildlife emergencies across the United Kingdom. Equipped with specialized rescue equipment, including inflatable whale refloatation pontoons, volunteers work alongside veterinarians and other rescue organizations to give animals the best possible chance of survival.

BDMLR also operates a specialist seal hospital in Cornwall and emergency seal treatment units in Suffolk and northeast England. These facilities provide veterinary assessment, intensive care and stabilization for sick, injured and abandoned seal pups before they continue their rehabilitation at specialist centres.

Beyond emergency rescue, BDMLR runs professional training programmes that prepare volunteers to assess and assist marine mammals safely. The organization also works internationally, sharing expertise and equipment to strengthen marine mammal rescue capabilities in other countries.

Through donations, volunteering and conservation education, supporters help fund life-saving rescue equipment, veterinary treatment and emergency response.

By combining practical rescue expertise with a passionate volunteer network, British Divers Marine Life Rescue gives vulnerable marine mammals a fighting chance and helps protect marine wildlife around the world.

Photo Credits by: © British Divers Marine Life Rescue
https://bdmlr.org.uk/