Some Albany community leaders say they are gaining support as they try to keep a 35 million year old whale fossil in Albany.
The "Save the Whale for Albany" group plans to meet with the Governor about the issue this week.
They're upset that the fossil found next to the Flint River in Albany will eventually be displayed at Georgia Southern University.
Even though experts from GSU are excavating and restoring the bones and handling the full cost of the project.
The local leaders are calling the whale fossil "Beny", for Albany. They're concerned that the scientists, who excavated the fossil, plan to display it at Georgia Southern's museum.
They hope the Governor will support their effort to bring the whale "back home."
Monday and Tuesday when we showed you a Georgia Southern University Geology team excavating the fossilized backbone of a whale on the bank of the Flint River, a group of Albany community leaders were not happy about their long-term plans for the fossil.
"People are getting up in arms about keep the whale. Save the whale," said Lorie Farkas, "Save The Whale" Organizer.
The fossil, embedded in limestone, is about a six or seven foot long portion of the vertebrae of a bassilosaurus, a whale that swam in the ocean that covered South Georgia 35 million years ago.
Several community leaders are unhappy the Southern scientists plan to display the whale in their university museum.
"It was found on the banks of the Flint River. The Flint River doesn't run through Statesboro," said Farkas.
Farkas says their community support is growing, saying "Beny" should come back to Albany for permanent display when the Georgia Southern scientists are through with their work studying and restoring the fossil.
They think the whale could be a tourism draw, and help the struggling Riverquarium.
Thursday afternoon State Legislator Ed Rynders will be leading a meeting with Governor Nathan Deal, including the executive directors from the Flint Riverquarium and Thronateeska.
"I just think it's real important that when we recognize that we have something to be proud of, that we protect it," said Farkas.
Farkas says most city and county leaders tell them they knew nothing about the Georgia Southern scientists work, until they saw our story.
The Save the Whale group says they hope the Governor will understand they think "Beny" should return home when the research is finished at Georgia Southern University.
Georgia Southern University Geology Associate Professor, Dr. Katy Smith, who led the fossil excavation, said she would be happy to talk with the Riverquarium and Thronateeska about eventually displaying the fossil in Albany temporarily, but not permanently since GSU is bearing the full cost of the project.
Dr. Smith's team plans to return to Albany in September to do more excavation.
The Save the Whale Group meets with Governor Deal Thursday afternoon.
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