South African rescue teams have managed to return to the water 20 pilot whales which beached near Cape Town but others have had to be put down.
South African rescue teams have managed to return to the water 20 pilot whales which beached near Cape Town but others have had to be put down.
Bulldozers were used to try to push the 55 adults and calves back into the water as high winds and waves hampered the rescue operation.
Bulldozers were used to try to push the 55 adults and calves back into the water as high winds and waves hampered the rescue operation.
The whales, about 3m (10ft) long, are common to the waters off South Africa.
The whales, about 3m (10ft) long, are common to the waters off South Africa.
It is unclear how the mammals became stranded and some which were returned to the water swam back to the beach.
It is unclear how the mammals became stranded and some which were returned to the water swam back to the beach.
Craig Lambinon, a spokesman for the National Sea Rescue Institute, told Reuters news agency that he could not say how many whales would have to be killed.
Craig Lambinon, a spokesman for the National Sea Rescue Institute, told Reuters news agency that he could not say how many whales would have to be killed.
Those who could not be saved were being shot humanely in the head.
Those who could not be saved were being shot humanely in the head.
It was the first mass beaching of whales Mr Lambinon had seen on the popular beach at Kommitjie, near Cape Point.
It was the first mass beaching of whales Mr Lambinon had seen on the popular beach at Kommitjie, near Cape Point.
"As soon as we put them back into the sea, they swim back to the beach again," he said earlier.
"As soon as we put them back into the sea, they swim back to the beach again," he said earlier.
Rough seas also pushed some whales back ashore.
Rough seas also pushed some whales back ashore.
Volunteer helpers and onlookers flocked to the area, blocking the main approach road, reports say.
Volunteer helpers and onlookers flocked to the area, blocking the main approach road, reports say.
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