Thousands of residents in the Venezuelan city of Valencia signed petitions to convince the government to halt the shipment of two pink river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) to Daejeon Aquaworld, in South Korea. “We want President Hugo Chávez… to order these dolphins to remain in the city, the only ones born in captivity in Venezuela, and which provide entertainment to children and adults who visit the local aquarium,” Alexis Mendoza told Tierramérica. He coordinates one of the “save the dolphins” committees in Valencia, an industrial city located 100 kilometers west of Caracas.

The protesters also fear that the dolphins would not withstand the 36-hour trip.

The city government, which runs the local aquarium, promoted the deal with South Korea for a half-million dollars to refurbish the site.