An extremely rare orange lobster was rescued and returned to the sea after being discovered in the seafood section of a market in Southampton, New York. The lobster, affectionately named Clementine, was first spotted by a local animal shelter which reached out to Humane Long Island (HLI), an animal advocacy group. The supermarket where Clementine was found hoped to spare her from being cooked by offering her to the Long Island aquarium, but the pardon was not granted. HLI’s executive director requested the lobster be donated for rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild, which the Stop and Shop management agreed to. With the help of a veterinarian, a cold saltwater tank was prepared to re-acclimate Clementine to the ocean, and she was successfully released into Long Island Sound.
Lobsters are sensitive and intelligent animals that can travel long distances each year, and they experience pain and suffering when taken from their ocean homes for consumption or being confined to cramped spaces. John Di Leonardo, an anthrozoologist and executive director of Humane Long Island, stressed the importance of respecting all lobsters and not eating them. The organization encourages celebrating Clementine’s successful journey back to the wild by advocating for the protection and well-being of all aquatic animals. This isn’t the first instance of rare orange lobsters being rescued from potentially ending up as meals. In another case, an orange lobster named Crush was delivered to a Red Lobster location in Denver, Colorado, and another was found in North Carolina. In Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, and Reggio Emilia, Italy, it is illegal to boil lobsters alive if they are still conscious. Southampton Animal Shelter and Humane Long Island continue to work together to protect and assist animals in need.
The discovery of the rare orange lobster at the Southampton Stop and Shop generated significant attention and interest from both the public and local media. The lobster, initially named Pinky by the manager’s young daughter, quickly became a celebrity at the grocery store. Store management fed Clementine shrimps and the staff were enamored with the unusual crustacean. Despite attempts by the supermarket to spare her from being cooked, a pardon from the Long Island aquarium was not granted. After notification by the animal shelter, Humane Long Island stepped in to rehabilitate Clementine and release her back into the wild. The successful journey of Clementine serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and respect for all living creatures.
The advocacy organization Humane Long Island emphasized the intelligence and sensitivity of lobsters as aquatic animals who can experience pain when removed from their natural habitats. The group worked diligently to prepare the rare orange lobster for release back into the ocean, highlighting the need to protect and preserve marine life. Lobsters are known to travel long distances in the wild, and keeping them in captivity or consuming them can cause immense suffering. Humane Long Island hopes that the story of Clementine will inspire others to consider the well-being of all creatures and make choices that align with principles of compassion and empathy. By raising awareness about the ethical treatment of animals, the organization aims to create a more humane and sustainable world for all living beings.
The rescue and release of the rare orange lobster Clementine symbolize the efforts of individuals and organizations to protect marine life and promote ethical treatment of animals. The collaboration between the local animal shelter, supermarket, and Humane Long Island demonstrates the power of community efforts in saving endangered species. With the support of a veterinarian and proper habitat preparation, Clementine was successfully reintroduced into the ocean, where she can thrive and contribute to the ecosystem. The significance of Clementine’s journey lies in the broader message of conservation and respect for all living creatures, inspiring others to take action towards safeguarding the environment and its inhabitants. By celebrating the successful release of Clementine, Humane Long Island encourages a positive shift towards more compassionate and sustainable practices in animal welfare and environmental conservation.
