Sperm whales wash up on English beach

By Pietro Lombardi, for CNN

Updated 1521 GMT (2321 HKT) January 25, 2016

Three dead sperm whales washed up on a beach in eastern England over the weekend. The whales are thought to have been from the same pod as another animal that was found a few miles away on Friday.
Photos: Sea giants beached
Four whales found dead on beaches in eastern England – Three dead sperm whales washed up on a beach in eastern England over the weekend. The whales are thought to have been from the same pod as another animal that was found a few miles away on Friday.
Hide Caption
1 of 7
The animals are about 15 metres (48 feet) long. Scientists believe they are only a few years old. These cetaceans can be up to 20 metres (67 feet) long and weigh over 50 tons.<br />
Photos: Sea giants beached
Sea giants – The animals are about 15 metres (48 feet) long. Scientists believe they are only a few years old. These cetaceans can be up to 20 metres (67 feet) long and weigh over 50 tons.
Hide Caption
2 of 7
Scientists believe the creatures probably got disoriented while looking for food and ended up in shallow waters.
Photos: Sea giants beached
They got disoriented – Scientists believe the creatures probably got disoriented while looking for food and ended up in shallow waters.
Hide Caption
3 of 7
The other members of the group are at "considerable risk" of being stranded, experts fear.
Photos: Sea giants beached
Other whales at risk – The other members of the group are at "considerable risk" of being stranded, experts fear.
Hide Caption
4 of 7
Scientists will carry out examinations on the bodies.
Photos: Sea giants beached
Scientists at work to find out what happened – Scientists will carry out examinations on the bodies.
Hide Caption
5 of 7
A dozen sperm whales washed ashore on German and Dutch beaches a week before the ones found in England. The animals may have been part of the same group.
Photos: Sea giants beached
A wave of sperm whale beachings in North Sea – A dozen sperm whales washed ashore on German and Dutch beaches a week before the ones found in England. The animals may have been part of the same group.
Hide Caption
6 of 7
In January 2006 a northern bottlenose whale swam up the Thames, and got stranded in central London, bringing thousands of people on the banks. The whale died during a rescue attempt.