Preliminary test results from the three pygmy killer whales that beached themselves recently off North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina show all three animals were very sick. Biologists say they all suffered from a lung disease and swollen lymph nodes although the cause of the illness has yet to be pin pointed.

For hours, beach-goers and marine biologists tried desperately to return the whales to the ocean, but in the end all three whales had to be euthanised after showing signs of weakness and not responding. Pygmy whales are toothed whales, 7 to 8 feet long and can weigh up to 600 pounds. Found in groups of 10 or more animals, they are usually very social animals but not normally seen along the South Carolina coast.