An extremely rare orange lobster was recently rescued and returned to the sea after being found in the seafood section of a market in Southampton, New York. The lobster, identified as a “1-in-30 million” rarity, was discovered by a local animal shelter and promptly reached out to Humane Long Island (HLI), an animal advocacy group. The lobster, now affectionately named ‘Clementine,’ was a celebrity at the Southampton Stop and Shop, where it was being fed shrimp and nicknamed ‘Pinky’ by the manager’s daughter.
The local supermarket attempted to spare Clementine from being cooked by seeking a pardon through the Long Island aquarium, but unfortunately, it was not granted. The Southampton Animal Shelter informed the animal advocacy team about the unique crustacean, leading to HLI’s executive director reaching out to the Stop and Shop management to donate the lobster for rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild. With the help of a veterinarian, a cold saltwater tank was prepared to re-acclimate Clementine to life in the ocean.
Within hours, Clementine was swimming and exploring Long Island Sound. John Di Leonardo, an anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island, emphasized the importance of treating lobsters with respect and not consuming them, citing the animals’ sensitivity and capacity to suffer. He urged people to celebrate Clementine’s successful return to the wild by refraining from eating lobsters and recognizing their intelligence.
This incident was not the first time an orange lobster narrowly avoided becoming a meal. In Denver, Colorado, an orange lobster named “Crush” was delivered to a Red Lobster location in July. Similarly, another orange lobster arrived at a North Carolina Red Lobster shortly after. Humane Long Island highlighted that in certain countries like Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and the Italian city of Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil lobsters alive while conscious.
As the story of Clementine gained attention, news outlets such as Fox News Digital covered the rare lobster’s journey. Fox News Digital reached out to the Southampton Animal Shelter for additional information. Sydney Borchers, a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital, contributed to the coverage of this remarkable rescue.
The rescue and return of Clementine underscore the importance of treating all animals with compassion and advocating for their well-being. As awareness grows about the intelligence and sensitivity of creatures like lobsters, more efforts are being made to protect them from harm. The story of Clementine serves as a reminder to value and respect all living beings, whether rare orange lobsters or more common creatures. By celebrating acts of kindness and empathy towards animals, we can create a more compassionate world for all beings to thrive.
