A statement from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment recalled that whales can weigh between 1,100 pounds and three tons, which makes the work of refloating difficult, and this group appeared on a beach somewhat inaccessible.

Moving specialized equipment to a remote area makes the response difficult, as well as the ocean conditions.

According to the department’s liaison officer, Brendon Clark, trying to refloat the animals would be a challenge that would involve enormous safety risks for his agency’s personnel.

As he told local media, the department’s experts are trying to determine what methodology to employ to provide an adequate and humane response to this challenging accident.

A local resident discovered the stranded killer whales by chance yesterday, and authorities flew over the area by helicopter to rule out other animals in similar circumstances within a six-mile radius.

Clark said the carcasses of the dead whales will be examined in search of clues to the case.

ef/abo/oda/msm