SAVANNAH, Ga. - Examinations of the carcasses of three pilot whales yielded no immediate answers to why they swam ashore and died on a popular beach in Georgia, state wildlife officials said Thursday.
"There was no smoking gun that showed a natural cause of death or a human cause," George said.
RELATED: Dozens rush to help beached whales on St. Simons Island | 3 pilot whales die after exceedingly rare' St. Simons Island strandingsPilot whales typically would be found about 100 miles from shore, George said.
Pilot whales are often involved in mass strandings, partly due to their social nature, according to the American Cetacean Society.
Georgia officials said at least 47 pilot whales survived the near-miss with the St. Simons Island beach.