Rare yellow lobster caught in RI found dead in tank; experts blame effects of stress
By APFriday, August 13, 2010
Rare yellow lobster caught in RI waters dies
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — A rare yellow lobster pulled from Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay has died in a protective tank.
The University of Rhode Island, which was keeping the crustacean, blames its death on stress from too much attention and changes in air temperature.
The yellow lobster, considered to be a one-in-30-million find, was caught last month by lobsterman Denny Ingram.
He temporarily made it available for display in the lobstermen’s co-op building at the State Pier in Newport. Ingram then gave the lobster to URI, which kept the lobster in a secluded protective tank.
Officials said Friday the lobster had not eaten for several days and was found lifeless in the tank on Tuesday. URI marine research associate Edward Baker says in a statement that the lobster was “stressed to death” before arriving at the university.
