How can the experiences of the cetacean stranding response team inform understandings of human relationships with cetaceans, the marine environment, and with nature as a whole?

Although many historical and present-day encounters between humans and cetaceans have been examined in the literature, the interactions that occur between a stranded cetacean and cetacean stranding response team members’ remain undocumented. This study sought to delve into the experiences of these responders, with the aim of furthering our understanding of human relationships with cetaceans, and more widely with the marine environment and with nature. This was achieved by individually interviewing and then conducting a focus group with five experienced responders from the charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was utilised to explore the resulting narratives. Three ‘core themes’ were identified and combined with the findings of the literature review for discussion. The main findings of the study suggest that we have a pre-existing fascination with cetaceans that feeds a desire to connect. This may be achieved in different ways: cetacean strandings present an opportunity to experience a different kind of human-cetacean connection or ‘bond’. The response team members are empowered to assist the stranded beings, they recognise their vulnerability and empathise with them, providing a compassionate response to their suffering. Their experiences had led to not only an increased sense of connection with the cetaceans they attended, but on a much wider scale with nature. The study concludes that we should encourage carefully guided human-cetacean connections, and learn more about our relationships with other animal species, to help us to reconnect with nature and tackle the conservation issues we face today.