TWO PILOT WHALES were saved, but a third looks unlikely to survive after they became stranded on a Kerry beach.

The three washed up at Brandon this morning and while all were re-floated by volunteers, they became stranded again.

Two were safely re-floated, but a third looks unlikely to survive, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says.

The two long-finned whales who are in the bay are likely waiting for the third before returning to the sea, the group said in a Facebook post.

If this one dies, as suspected, then the adults might leave. Local IWDG member and researcher Paddy O’Dwyer was on site to help guide the rescue and reported prospects for the two strong ones good after second floating, however, the third is very unlikely to survive, and had appeared to give up and would probably have been left to die but for the area being so public and busy.

Holidaymakers in the area are being asked to be vigilant for other whales in the area. In 2002, 37 were stranded nearby, with 17 dying.