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Clawing to freedom: New York restaurant releases 110-year-old lobster to the sea
New York restaurant owner Butch Yamali holding on to Lorenzo as he makes his way to release the lobster. PHOTO: PETER'S CLAM BAR/FACEBOOK
Clawing to freedom: New York restaurant releases 110-year-old lobster to the sea
A lobster estimated to be more than 100 years old is living its best life after being pardoned by two American officials and released into the ocean.
The release of the 9.5kg 110-year-old crustacean named Lorenzo – a beloved mascot at Peter's Clam Bar in Long Island, New York – was held on June 12 in conjunction with National Lobster Day and Father's Day.
He was earlier pardoned by Hempstead town supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County legislator John Ferretti, according to reports by the US media.
Broadcaster WNBC reported that Lorenzo then travelled to Atlantic Beach Reef with a full escort on a boat.
Broadcaster NBC New York quoted Mr Clavin as saying: 'I can't think of a better way to celebrate National Lobster Month than by pardoning Lorenzo and sending him off to enjoy retirement in the Atlantic.'
According to Peter's Clam Bar owner Butch Yamali, Lorenzo had been living at the eatery for years.
'Lorenzo just kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years,' Mr Yamali told New York City television station WPIX-TV.
'Some of these lobsters just don't live that long, and this one did. So we figured what better way to celebrate Father's Day than by freeing Lorenzo. He became like a pet. People would come see him and take pictures with him, and he was just an object of the store.'
Mr Yamali said he was happy to be able to give Lorenzo a second chance at life in the sea.
'He's going to be missed, but I think it's better like this. If he passed away here, it wouldn't be a good thing, and I couldn't have the heart to sell him,' he said.
A June 13 Facebook post by Peter's Clam Bar said Lorenzo is now 'living his best life – clawing his way to freedom and soaking up the salty breeze (instead of butter)'.
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