Releasing a captive animal back into the wild is always a very emotional event. On the one hand, there’s the joy of giving the animal back its freedom. On the other hand, there’s the fear that the animal might not re-adapt successfully in the wild, especially if the animal has been born in captivity, is not very young or has been in captivity for the most part of his life and is accustomed to human contact.

 

Such an event occurred recently, and we have PETA to thank for, yet again. Although some of their methods and principles do not always seem to be in the best interest of animals, as they fiercely claim, their intentions are still honorable.

 

This is the story of George, a 20-pound lobster estimated to be approximately 80 years of age. On Friday, PETA, the biggest and most influential animal rights activist organization, orchestrated the liberation of George, after he had spent part of his life as a mascot of City Crab, usually lingering in his tank, and sometimes posing as dinner – although George was never harmed and was kept as one would keep a dear pet. PETA was called by a patron who spotted George, and they quickly began lobbying for his release. The owners of the restaurant said George was happy in the restaurant, especially since he was never meant to end up on someone’s plate as dinner, yet they agreed to give George away, so the crustacean could enjoy freedom.

 

George will be driven to Portsmouth, where he will be helped with the transition by a crustacean expert. From that point on, George will be driven to Maine by Larry Fleming, who will release him into the protected waters north of Kennebunkport.