Abstract

In March 1988 three Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were stranded on the Dutch coast and sent to the Harderwijk Marine Mammal Park for rehabilitation. The following parameters were recorded during their stay at the park: blood parameters, medication, parasites, health changes, weight and length changes, wound healing, food consumption, digestion, respiration rate and behaviour. The possible cause of the stranding and the amount of labour needed for the rehabilitation are discussed. After treatment, in November 1988, two of the animals were released into the North sea.