KIHEI, Maui — Members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network were standing by at Mai Poina Oe Iau Beach Park yesterday to keep an eye on a pod of seven or so pygmy killer whales that was lingering unusually close to shore.

The animals are found primarily in deep waters, so the fact they have been spending recent days in waters about 100 yards from shore could be an indication the whales are in some sort of distress, although there have been no beachings.

The whales were first spotted off Kihei last week. At one point, marine officials herded them into deeper waters but they returned Sunday, said Randy Awo, head of the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.

Despite their names, pygmy killer whales are small members of the dolphin family. They can grow to about 8 1/2 feet and 380 pounds.

The marine mammals have a small head with a rounded melon that extends in front of the mouth, and there is no discernible beak.

Because they spend much of their time in deep waters, little is known about them. According to NOAA Fisheries, the population of pygmy killer whales in Hawai'i is about 800.

To report stranded or entangled marine mammals call the NOAA Fisheries hot line at 888-256-9840.