Rescuers say whales are too ill to be saved

Rescuers have given up on efforts to save over forty pilot whales stranded on a beach around Cape Cod in America.

Animal welfare officers say too many are sick or in shock from the ordeal.

Some of the small black whales along the Cape Cod coast were euthanised after blood tests showed they were ill.

It follows a second day of efforts to save the aquatic mammals who had become trapped on a second sand bar.

Some of the whales were thrashing in shallow water, while others were wailing to each other.

"It's heartbreaking," said Christopher Bailey of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Others were placed on their stomachs so they wouldn't suffocate while awaiting high tide, but rescuers decided not to try to push them to deeper water.

"We want to give them the opportunity. If they can find the desire to swim off, they will do so." he said.

Mr Bailey acknowledged the marine mammals may just return to shore.

About 300 people had gone to the remote area near Lieutenant Island to try to help the whales.