Cincinnati Girl Wins Lobster, Sets It Free in Maine
CINCINNATI - A 7-year-old girl here who won a lobster last month as part of an anniversary promotion at a bigg's supermarket has set the creature free -- 1,000 miles away, in Bar Harbor, Maine, according to published reports.
Myranda Hutchinson entered the contest with the express purpose of freeing the nearly eight-pound lobster, dubbed "Bubba" by bigg's seafood salesman Dave Brandon on account of his gargantuan size.
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Upon winning the contest, she offered Bubba to various zoos and aquaria, but no one was interested.
However, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium curator Mike Brittsan got in touch with former colleague Eddie Monat, who has a business called Dive-in Theater in Maine. As part of his business, Monat films his dives, showing the footage live to paying passengers. He additionally brings such creatures as sea urchins, crabs, and lobsters back to the boat for passengers to examine. He agreed to take Bubba if someone could transport him, so armed with a Styrofoam container and a $280 check for the lobster's airfare from Myranda's parents, Brittsan was on his way.
Bubba was released into the North Atlantic on Saturday.
Since the lobster's carapace is more than five inches long, according to Maine's fishing laws, he can't be caught and kept, meaning that, in all probability, Bubba can look forward to a long life as a breeder.
Myranda Hutchinson entered the contest with the express purpose of freeing the nearly eight-pound lobster, dubbed "Bubba" by bigg's seafood salesman Dave Brandon on account of his gargantuan size.
(Story continues below.)
Upon winning the contest, she offered Bubba to various zoos and aquaria, but no one was interested.
However, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium curator Mike Brittsan got in touch with former colleague Eddie Monat, who has a business called Dive-in Theater in Maine. As part of his business, Monat films his dives, showing the footage live to paying passengers. He additionally brings such creatures as sea urchins, crabs, and lobsters back to the boat for passengers to examine. He agreed to take Bubba if someone could transport him, so armed with a Styrofoam container and a $280 check for the lobster's airfare from Myranda's parents, Brittsan was on his way.
Bubba was released into the North Atlantic on Saturday.
Since the lobster's carapace is more than five inches long, according to Maine's fishing laws, he can't be caught and kept, meaning that, in all probability, Bubba can look forward to a long life as a breeder.