Petition: Gowanus Must Develop Marine Mammal Rescue Protocol

When a dolphin found its way into the Gowanus Canal last week and died, the story captured the attention of animal lovers across the country.

A necropsy determined that the marine mammal had been ill before visiting Brooklyn, and was likely trying to beach itself. But some local residents feel that a protocol should be developed for preventing creatures from entering the Superfund site at all—and rescuing them should be part of the protocol.

One resulting petition launched by neighbor Vangeline Gand has already gained more than 150 signatures.

"The canal is man made, and its high level of toxicity and pollution is due to [humans]," says Gand. "We need to have a protocol in place for rapid rescue to help these large mammals swim back to the bay when they get trapped. No large mammal should ever die trapped in the Gowanus Canal."

Gand asserts that local officials should explore every option to prevent future deaths in the canal.

"How can the Riverhead Foundation can say in the same breath that the water was not toxic enough to kill the dolphin but too dangerously polluted for human beings to go in? I think they are covering their bad decision," she says.

To sign the petition, follow the link.