MIAMI: Experts say they're cautiously optimistic about five pilot whales that were part of a pod of 22 stranded on a Florida beach.

Two male and three female juvenile whales are being treated Monday at Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Institute.

Experts at FAU say the whales are showing signs of stress and infection from the stranding Saturday, but the marine mammals are swimming on their own.

The rest of their pod died of natural causes or had to be euthanized. It was unclear why the whales became stranded at Avalon State Park in St. Lucie County.

The experts hope to eventually continue the whales' rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando.