Rare Orange Lobster Joins Downtown Aquarium in Denver
- A rare orange lobster was rescued from a shipment intended for a Red Lobster in Pueblo, Colorado.
- The Downtown Aquarium in Denver will now be its new home.
- This event highlights the importance of wildlife preservation and the unexpected rescues that can occur.
The Downtown Aquarium in Denver has welcomed a unique addition to its marine life — a rare orange lobster named Crush. This crustacean was rescued from a shipment intended for a Red Lobster restaurant in Pueblo, Colorado. The name "Crush" pays homage to the Denver Broncos' famed Orange Crush defense, a nod to the team's legacy from 1976 to 1986, as expressed by Kendra Kastendieck, the restaurant's general manager and a devoted Broncos fan. When the Pueblo Zoo declined to take in Crush, Kastendieck reached out to the Downtown Aquarium, which eagerly accepted the lobster. On Wednesday, she transported Crush in a foam container packed with ice packs to ensure its safety during the journey. Upon arrival, the aquarium staff quickly acclimated Crush to its quarantine tank, where it displayed lively behavior, exploring its new environment. To enhance Crush's habitat, aquarium staff creatively set up a tank featuring both a new and an older generation Denver Broncos helmet, allowing the lobster to interact with its surroundings. Ryan Herman, the general curator at the Downtown Aquarium, expressed excitement about showcasing this extraordinary animal to the community and visitors. Crush was originally shipped from a supplier in Tennessee and caught off the coast of Canada. Genetic mutations can result in lobsters displaying various colors, including orange, blue, and yellow. The Downtown Aquarium, home to over 700 species of fish, previously housed one orange lobster, further emphasizing the rarity of this vibrant creature.