News Summary
In Upstate New York, a unique orange lobster named ‘Jean-Clawed Van Damme’ was saved from a grocery store tank and released into the wild. Kyle Brancato purchased the lobster to prevent it from being cooked, recognizing its striking color as a potential sign of distress. After providing proper care, Jean-Clawed was released into Long Island Sound, emphasizing the need for humane treatment of lobsters. This event coincided with National Lobster Day and highlights the growing awareness of animal welfare in the seafood industry.
Upstate New York has witnessed a remarkable and heartwarming incident involving a rare orange lobster, affectionately named “Jean-Clawed Van Damme.” This unique crustacean, noted for its extraordinary color, was rescued from a grocery store tank and subsequently released back into the wild. The event occurred shortly before National Lobster Day, which celebrates the peak of lobster harvesting season in the United States.
Kyle Brancato, a shopper at the Tops grocery store, stumbled upon the rare lobster while it was mingling with other lobsters available for sale. Realizing that other customers might overlook the lobster due to its unusual orange hue—often misconceived as a sign of disease—Brancato decided to purchase the lobster with the intention of saving it from being cooked and consumed.
Brancato faced challenges in keeping the lobster safe and healthy as he lacked prior experience with crustacean care. To ensure the lobster’s well-being, he cleverly acquired tank water from a nearby restaurant, Palmer’s, before purchasing a 20-gallon tank and 20 gallons of seawater from Petco. He meticulously adjusted the water temperature to suit Jean-Clawed’s needs before preparing for the release.
On September 25, the lobster was finally released into the Long Island Sound, marking a significant moment in the life of this one-in-30 million find, as classified by Humane Long Island and the New York Aquarium. John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island, highlighted the importance of this rescue, particularly in the context of the estimated 100 million lobsters killed annually in the United States. The survival of Jean-Clawed represents a beacon of hope and a reminder of the lives that could be spared as more people consider alternative choices regarding seafood consumption.
Background on Lobster Captivity and Rescues
Many grocery stores have previously engaged in similar “pardon” practices, where lobsters are saved from boiling to death. Stores located in Northport and ShopRite have been known to release lobsters back into the ocean for humanitarian reasons. De Leonardo emphasized that lobsters experience significant stress and discomfort in captivity, often resulting in dangerous situations like self-mutilation or aggressive behavior toward one another.
The release of Jean-Clawed aligns with growing concerns about animal welfare in the culinary industry. Several countries, including Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand, have banned the practice of boiling lobsters alive due to emerging evidence indicating crustaceans experience pain. In light of this, Di Leonardo has urged grocery stores to take similar steps and set examples by releasing lobsters, irrespective of their color, in honor of National Lobster Day.
Previous Instances of Rare Lobsters
Jean-Clawed is not the first orange lobster to capture attention. An incident in Ontario in 2021 involved another orange lobster that was eventually housed in an aquarium after a longer time in captivity. These instances spark conversations about the impact of human consumption on marine life and promote more ethical treatment of these creatures.
Brancato, deeply affected by his experience with Jean-Clawed, stated his commitment to abstaining from eating lobsters in the future. According to Di Leonardo, choosing a vegan lifestyle can result in sparing nearly 200 animals, similar to Jean-Clawed, from the plate each year. This notion brings into focus the broader implications of dietary choices on animal welfare and conservation efforts.
The story of Jean-Clawed Van Damme stands as a significant case, highlighting the growing consciousness regarding the treatment of lobsters in retail environments and encouraging a movement toward more humane practices within the seafood industry.
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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
