Isn't it so very sad!! You must have been so touched Paul, watching them as the final efforts were made to save them. You're right. All the news accounts say that despite all of the efforts of the rescue groups, the whales continued to head toward the shore. Euthanizing them was the only humane thing to do, they said, as by the time of the third stranding, the whales were too exhausted to return to the sea and were suffering. Thank you for sharing your were poignant but sad photos with us. You must have been very moved.