Wildlife First

LEARN. SEE. RESPECT. REPORT.

Cornwall’s coastal and marine wildlife, so essential to our economy, is under pressure…it needs our help and respect! The Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code promotes best practice to make all encounters great for people, great for marine life and great for Cornwall!

Learn: find out first. Learn as much as you can about what wildlife you might see where and know the best way to act around it. This will help you improve your chances of great sightings.
See: be alert whilst out and about.
Respect: act appropriately and aim to leave wildlife as you found it.
Report: see the big picture. Understand that our coastal and marine wildlife has numerous encounters with people. Tell us about your sighting and any disturbance you see.

What YOU can do to help – take home messages:
• Give the animals SPACE and TIME
• Check this website for sensitive wildlife sites
• Expect the unexpected – be alert and get prepared
• Observe from a distance – use binoculars if you can
• Look for signs you’ve been spotted by wildlife and avoid actions that scare, startle or panic them
• Large groups and mothers with young are best avoided completely
• If you decide to move closer, approach side on, around the outside making sure the animal/s have a clear escape route
• Be patient and wait downwind, move predictably, steadily and slowly
• Be calm and quiet while you enjoy your encounter
• Be considerate, back off and move on to keep your encounter brief
• Leave wildlife and the environment as you found it

  • If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action call 999 immediately and ask for the police
  • If you see marine life being disturbed, please call our hotline 0345 201 26 26
  • If you find a sick or injured marine animal, please call British Divers Marine Life Rescue 01825 765546
  • If you find a dead marine animal (including seabirds), please do not touch, call the Marine Strandings Network on 0345 201 26 26
  • For general enquiries only, email info@cornwallmarinelifecode.org.uk

We are interested to know what special marine or wildlife you have seen, please report your sightings to ORKS . Reporting your sightings helps us improve our understanding of the natural history in Cornwall & what we can do to benefit its wildlife.

MAIN PHOTO: copyright Sue Sayer