NBC Chicago /

News

140-Year-Old Lobster Released From NYC Eatery Crusty crustacean returns to ocean

By  JOHN P. WISE

Updated 3:18 PM CDT, Mon, Jan 26, 2009

Related Topics: Reuters Group plc

21 Comments   Post a comment Post a Comment

AP

In this photo released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, "George," a live 20 pound lobster rests on a plate at City Crab and Seafood in New York, Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. City Crab and Seafood has spared the lobster, which is expected to be released Saturday, Jan. 10, near Kennebunkport, Maine, in an area where lobster trapping is forbidden. PETA and the restaurant gauged George's age at about 140, using a rule of thumb based on the creature's weight.

 

A lobster believed to be 140 years old that became a restaurant mascot for a short time will be returned to more familiar waters, according to a Reuters report.

The folks at City Crab and Seafood near Gramercy Park said Friday they'll give up the crusty crustacean.

The lobster weighed in at 20 pounds, and restaurant manager Keith Valenti was quoted in the Reuters report as saying that each pound equals 7-10 years in age.

So if the lobster is 140 years old, here are some facts on 1869, the year it was born (Source: spiritus-temporis.com):

+ Sigma Nu fraternity is founded at Virginia Military Institute. They were dorks at my school. Just sayin'.
+ Celluloid is patented.
+ The First Transcontinental Railroad, linking the eastern and western United States, is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah.
+ Thomas Edison receives a patent for his electric voting machine.
+ Japan's samurai, farmer, artisan, merchant class system is abolished as part of the Meiji Restoration reforms. Hmm, I thought Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe were responsible for that.
+ Rutgers beats Princeton, 6-4, in the first official American intercollegiate football game.

And here are some lobster FAQs and lobster recipes.

Comments (21)

Sort by: Most Recent | Oldest
  • Curious Tuesday, Jan 13 at 2:29 PM FLAG COMMENT I am curious as to why people complain about what is or is not news? Can you not tell by the headline whether it will be a story of interest to you? I found this story listed under the funny / weird news on my local news site, therefore using reason I kind of figured that weird / unreal news stories may be discussed. It sometimes amazes me what people think is clever. Have a happy day!
  • tumbleweed Monday, Jan 12 at 4:42 PM FLAG COMMENT They are like large insects. And they like to travel far and wide, it is cruel to keep thempenned up in the grocery store and rubberband their claws, I hate to see them treated that way. They deserve to live just as we do.
  • Susan Monday, Jan 12 at 10:15 AM FLAG COMMENT I agree with "sick of it" - it's not so bad having a piece of "fluff" tossed in once in while. I can only take so much of all of the bad news out there.
  • seafood lover Monday, Jan 12 at 7:58 AM FLAG COMMENT thanks for History 101 cameo35! that's pretty interesting. so this lobster thing is considered "news", huh? that's funny : )
  • meateater Monday, Jan 12 at 5:35 AM FLAG COMMENT FUNNY likebeef.... I'm with you on that. Really, do they really think this lobster will survie after being fed daily by humans? It has come to depend on humans for food & safety, I wonder just how long will it last. Granted, I'm not for cruelty to animals but people really, they are here for food. It's not what goes in your mouth that defiles you but rather what comes out.... i.e. your words.

Post a Comment

Name


Comment - You have 2000 characters left

Enter both words below, separated by a space, in the field located to the lower right. Can't read the words below? Try different words or an audio captcha. What's this?