In his four decades as a lobster fisherman, Robert Wagner encountered a unique discovery: a lobster split down the middle, displaying half blue and half orange coloring. Wagner, amazed by this rare sight, named the lobster Oscar and decided to share his finding with others. His daughter suggested reaching out to Dalhousie University to offer Oscar a new home.
Nadia Stewart, from Dalhousie’s Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, mentioning that lobsters with distinct colors often face predation in the wild due to their visibility. Stewart explained that Oscar’s coloring, a result of a genetic mutation occurring in about one out of every 50 million lobsters, is exceptionally rare.
After a month of care by Wagner’s family, Oscar was transferred to Halifax with a special license. Stewart revealed that Oscar successfully adapted to his new environment but surprised staff by shedding his shell recently. The center decided to display his old shell and give him time to recover before returning him to public viewing once his new shell hardens, showcasing his unique blue and orange coloring.
Wagner expressed contentment with the decision to donate Oscar, stating his hope for Oscar to have a fulfilling life in his new home.