As reported in the New York Daily News, the cause of Sludgie’s death won’t be known until a necropsy is performed today, but experts said Sludgie was probably younger and smaller and more vulnerable than originally thought.
The whale appeared in the Gowanus Canal on Tuesday. He became disoriented during the weekend’s nor’easter. He also became a cause celebre in NYC and around the country.
Marine biologists were monitoring Sludgie’s breathing and behavioral patterns.
On Wednesday at 4:45 p.m., there was some splashing in the water, and scientists saw that he was dead.
NYPD and preservation experts from Riverhead, LI used a dinghy, ropes and grappling hooks to stop the 5,000-pound whale from sinking to the bottom.
The Army Corps of Engineers will tow Sludgie’s carcass to a pier in Jersey City for the necropsy.
RIP Sludgie
Whales are not terrorists, and the people’s treatment of Sludgie was deplorable. People were standing on land chanting, “Die, whale, die!” It was disgusting behavior that has scarred the image of Brooklyn forever.
Poor Sludgie. With the news so grim lately we were all pulling for the li’l mammal… But really,couldn’t the poor little minke whale have a cuter, more mellifluous (and less muck and mired and less hazmat) name?
“Sludgie” was cute/ironic while still in Brooklyn survival mode, but now that the li’l whale has passed on, couldn’t’ we refer to him in a more eco-friendly/Brooklyn-friendly fashion ? I wouldn’t swim in it but isn’t the Gowanus supposed to be cleaner these days?
So, how about —
“L’il Gowie” (aka “Gowanus Guy or Gal”)
“Li’l Wannabe” (in memory of Joey Gallo from the neighborhood)
“L’il HeckamI” (as in Where the heck am I?)
Suggestions welcome.
Peace Out