Latest news with #MysticAquarium
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Extremely rare lobster at New York grocery store was ‘too good to eat.' See why
An extremely rare 'golden' lobster was spared from a New York grocery store because it was 'way too good to eat.' Now Jerry will spend the rest of his life at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, the aquarium's spokesperson, Rachael Levine, told McClatchy News by email July 9. Jerry was discovered — and named — at ShopRite of Carmel, the store said in a Facebook post. The workers knew something was special about the lobster when they saw its orange coloring, making it one in 30 million, the store said. Lobsters are typically greenish-brown when they are alive, and they turn bright red once cooked. But a genetic mutation that causes 'a problem within the protein during development' can change the typical color of a lobster, Levine said. That's why Jerry's bright orange coloring caught everyone's eye, and the store made a decision. 'This rare lobster that's way too good to eat will be heading to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. It is here he'll live out his days bringing joy to visitors,' the grocery store said in the post. Jerry is now one of nine rare American lobsters at the aquarium, Levine said. The aquarium has seven that are blue, one calico and Jerry who is orange, she said. The education team will use Jerry, and all the other lobsters, to teach 'under privileged schools within a 100-mile radius,' Levine said. Additionally, the aquarium has a 'Locals' Discover Long Island Sound habitat where visitors can learn about animals found off the coast. Mystic is about a 60-mile drive southeast from Hartford.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare lobster moves to CT to be displayed. NY store said he was ‘way too good to eat'
A rare catch found at ShopRite of Carmel in New York state has moved across the state border to Mystic Aquarium. Jerry the Golden Lobster arrived in ShopRite of Carmel, according to a Facebook post by the grocery store on June 30. 'A golden lobster, a 1 in 30 million chance, has made its way to the ShopRite of Carmel. We've named him Jerry, and tomorrow, this rare lobster that's way too good to eat will be heading to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. It is here he'll live out his days bringing joy to visitors from near and far. Swim free, Jerry. We'll miss you,' the Facebook post said. A manager at the store said media requests had to be done through a corporate office, which was closed due the holiday. See a photo of the lobster here. A second post by the store said the lobster had arrived in Connecticut. A message seeking comment was left with the aquarium. According to a story on the U.S. National Science Foundation website, the golden color may be an effect of climate change. 'Roughly 1 in 30 million lobsters has the genetic mutation that causes the yellow shell color, and there are many different color varieties, including bright blue, calico (black and orange) and the rarest of all — white lobsters,' according to the U.S. National Science Foundation story. Further, according to the Seacoast Science Center, lobster shell color 'is determined by a complex interplay of three layers of carotenoid pigments that bind with proteins: astaxanthin (reds and yellows), and crustacyanin (blues). In a typical lobster, these stacked pigments combine in the shell to produce the familiar dark camouflage coloration. When genetic mutations alter the expression, or structure, of these pigments, uncommon colors can emerge.' The center also noted, 'Whilst stumbling across a colored lobster is a rare event, it is a potent reminder of the complexity and variability of life. Each colored lobster is not only a biological curiosity but also a window into the intricate genetic mechanisms that drive diversity in the natural world.'
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Lion's mane jellyfish spotted off New England coast. What jellyfish might you see in RI?
For more than 500 million years – well before dinosaurs ever thought of existing – jellyfish have floated through the world's oceans. Today, 2,000 species of jellyfish have been discovered around the world, including an 'immortal jellyfish' that can rejuvenate itself and ones that can grow to be bigger than humans. While you're not likely to run into a human-size jellyfish while taking a dip off the Rhode Island shoreline, there are plenty of jellyfish to be found. Particularly, in the summer months when warmer waters create prime conditions for jellyfish blooms. While certain jellyfish are more common, sometimes a stray shows up. For example, recently lion's mane jellyfish, which pack a painful sting, have been surging in the Gulf of Maine. They are sometimes spotted in Rhode Island in the spring and summer. But, here are five species of jellyfish you might encounter in Rhode Island. The moon jelly is the most common jellyfish in Rhode Island and is found floating in open water near the surface. These jellyfish are white with a dome shape and 4 horseshoe-shaped gonads, that can be orange or pink in appearance, visible from the top. The good news about these guys is, according to Mystic Aquarium, their sting is mild. One jellyfish that does pack a powerful sting is the Atlantic Sea Nettle, with long, thin, twining tentacles trailing behind it. This jellyfish is more often found in the South County salt ponds, such as Ninigret and Green Hill Ponds rather than the open ocean. Some years there are enough of them that The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) issue a warning to be careful, as their sting can cause 'moderate discomfort and itching welts.' If stung, it's recommended to wash the area with vinegar, not fresh water. More advice: What to do if you're stung by a sea nettle Small but mighty, this isn't a jellyfish you want to come across. The clinging jellyfish is about the size of a dime and are most recognizable by an orange-brown cross on their transparent body. They pack a powerful sting that has sent several Rhode Island beachgoers to the hospital. Their preferred habitat is clinging to vegetation like eelgrass, so you're not likely to have a run-in with one while on R.I.'s sandy beaches. Advice: How to protect yourself from clinging jellyfish Technically not a jellyfish, the Man O'War is a group of organisms acting as one to survive. They're named for the way their top resembles a warship at full sail. The sail, which can be blue, violet or pink, can float up to 6 inches above the water. Below are tentacles that can grow up to 100 feet. While they aren't typically found in abundance off of Rhode Island's ocean beaches, sightings are reported nearly every year. If you see something that resembles a balloon floating on top of the water, stay away. The Man O'War packs a powerful sting, capable of sending someone to the hospital. The tentacles are harmful even when they have detached from the body. A deep dive: More to know about Portuguese men o' war Often called a jellyfish because of its gelatinous body, the comb jellyfish is technically a ctenophore. These creatures – which grow to be 4 or 5 inches long – have no sting. Recent studies have found the comb jellies are present in Narragansett Bay for a longer season as water temperatures have risen. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island jellyfish can pack a sting. Here are 5 to be aware of
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mystic Aquarium releases rehabilitated seals in Rhode Island
MYSTIC, Conn. (WWLP) – Mystic Aquarium released six gray seals back into their natural habitat in Westerly, Rhode Island, Tuesday morning following weeks of rehabilitation care. Aquarium officials stated that these seals were rescued on Block Island between late March and early April when they were found entangled in fishing gear and marine debris. Mystic Aquarium's animal care professionals gave each gray seal individualized treatment within the Animal Rescue Program across the following six to eight weeks. Second Chance Animal Services seek foster families for pregnant pets Now fully rehabilitated, the seals were brought to Wuskenau Town Beach to be released into the Atlantic Ocean. Mystic Aquarium staff invited staff and volunteers from the Block Island Maritime Institute, as well as New Haven police officers who helped rescue Chappy the seal back in February, to open the kennels and guide the seals into the ocean. 'Releasing these six seals back into their natural habitat in the Atlantic Ocean following nearly two months of rehabilitation is a true testament to Mystic Aquarium's care and compassion for these animals,' said Sarah Callan, Animal Rescue Program Manager at Mystic Aquarium. 'As entanglement cases continue to increase in line with upticks in seal populations, our team cherishes the opportunity to help these animals and strengthen marine ecosystems up and down the East Coast.' To date in 2025, Mystic's Animal Rescue Program has rescued and rehabilitated 24 seals so far. This program costs $600,000 annually, with expenses such as supplies, medications, salt water for rehab pools, transportation, and other essentials. Due to recent funding cuts, only two of the seals released on Wednesday were able to be fitted with satellite tags–the last two in the aquarium's current inventory. To learn more or to donate, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
12-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Cause of death to remain unknown for minke whale carcass that washed ashore in East Providence, R.I.
A very putrid smelling whale carcass washed up on the shore of Bold Point Park. The RI DEM was notified and Mystic Aquarium was notified to investigate cause of death. Posted by But how exactly the mammal – likely a juvenile – may have died will remain a mystery, said Sarah Callan, the aquarium's manager of animal rescue, on Monday. Advertisement The same carcass was reported across the bay in Providence in January, but with limited access to the water there, crews were not able to move it, Dodge said. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Kim Keough, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, confirmed in an email the animal was 'the same minke whale observed in the area over the winter during the Providence River barge removal operations.' 'At this point, it has moved a little bit farther, but it's four months old – severely decomposed,' Callan said Monday. 'We wouldn't get any viable samples,' Callan added. The whales are common in the waters off Rhode Island. However, Callan said since 2017, elevated numbers of minke whale mortalities have occurred, part of what's been called an Advertisement According to the In the last eight years, there have been 14 dead minke whales in Rhode Island alone, Callan said. A lot of them were clearly struck by vessels, although others have shown signs of infectious disease, she said. 'Unfortunately, this [most recent] one's going to kind of be a mystery because you kind of have to piece together a lot of different things to build the case,' she said. Experts were not able to determine the sex of the whale, as researchers typically have to check the underside of the animal as well as the internal reproductive organs to confirm, Callan said. According to Keough, the whale carcass will remain where it is. 'Given the slow but continuous decomposition over the past several colder months, officials have determined that the most appropriate course of action is to allow the whale to decompose naturally in place,' Keough wrote. 'Removal or burial is not feasible due to the whale's advanced decomposition and its current location. A necropsy would yield limited information about the cause of death, as significant time has passed since the initial stranding.' Dodge reminded the public that although the whale is deceased, it remains protected by the federal 'Marine Mammal Protection Act,' which prohibits people from approaching or touching the animal and from harvesting anything from it. Christopher Gavin can be reached at
