Key Point Summary – 110-Year-Old Lobster Lorenzo Freed

• Lorenzo, a 110-year-old lobster, was released by Peter’s Clam Bar
• The 21-lb crustacean had lived in the restaurant’s tank for years
• Officials gave him a full “pardon” for National Lobster Day
• Escorted by Hempstead Bay constables to Atlantic Beach Reef
• The restaurant said he’s “clawing his way to freedom” now

A Crustacean Legend Earns His Ocean Pardon

Lorenzo the lobster has finally found freedom at 110 years old. The massive 21-pounder had been the pride of Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park, Long Island, living in the restaurant’s tank as something of a mascot. But on June 12, in honor of National Lobster Day and Father’s Day, Lorenzo was given a second chance at life.

The symbolic release was made official with help from two local politicians: Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti. Together with restaurant owner Butch Yamali, they gave Lorenzo a ceremonial “pardon” before setting him free.

A Saltwater Escort and a Sentimental Goodbye

Lorenzo’s journey didn’t end at the restaurant door. He was transported by a Hempstead Bay Constable boat to the Atlantic Beach Reef, where he was released into the wild — a rare fate for a lobster his size and age.

“Most people celebrate National Lobster Day with butter,” Ferretti joked, “but not today!”

The moment wasn’t just about saving one lobster. It was about respect, history, and yes — a bit of local flair. Restaurant owner Yamali explained that Lorenzo had become something of a legend.

“He kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years,” he said. “People would come to see him and take pictures with him. He was just part of the place.”

The Ghost of Lobster Past: Lenny

This isn’t Peter’s Clam Bar’s first lobster liberation. Years ago, another elder crustacean named Lenny was also released in a similar event. That set a precedent, and Lorenzo’s release now follows in those same claw-steps.

Although Yamali admitted Lorenzo would be missed, he said the emotional cost of keeping such a long-lived creature became too much. “If he passed away here, it wouldn’t be a good thing,” he said. “And I couldn’t have the heart to sell him.”

Instead, he made the call to let Lorenzo live out his twilight years where he belongs — in the open sea.

Clawing His Way to Retirement

The restaurant leaned into the moment with humor and heart. On Facebook, they celebrated the event with a cheeky caption: “He’s now living his best life — clawing his way to freedom, and soaking up the salty breeze (instead of butter).”

Lorenzo’s age — 110 years — puts him in the extreme upper range for lobsters. Although there’s no way to verify his exact birthday, estimates are based on size and growth cycles. Lobsters typically grow slower as they age, but this crustacean’s 21-pound mass makes him one of the oldest ever encountered in captivity.

Local Officials Turned Lobster Liberators

Supervisor Don Clavin and Legislator Ferretti were all smiles during the event. Though the move was symbolic, it added a rare touch of humanity to the world of shellfish.

“We’re used to hearing about people getting pardoned,” Clavin joked. “But today, it was all about Lorenzo. And honestly, it felt just as meaningful.”

The escort to the reef ensured Lorenzo didn’t face predators or traps right away, giving him the best possible start on his new aquatic chapter.

Social Media Cheers the Shellfish Hero

Online, locals and animal lovers alike cheered the restaurant’s decision. Comments flooded Peter’s Clam Bar’s Facebook page, thanking them for their compassion and calling the act “heartwarming” and “beautiful.”

“Good on you for giving him freedom,” one person wrote. “He earned it.”

“Now this is how you celebrate National Lobster Day,” another commented.

One Last Dip — This Time, Not in Butter

For Lorenzo, the move from tank to tide marks a rare moment in food history — when mercy triumphed over the menu. He’s now living out his golden years not under a spotlight or in a pot, but cruising the reef with claws raised high.

No matter how long Lorenzo survives in the wild, the message is clear: compassion can be contagious — and sometimes even clawed.