Wesley, the 9kg monster lobster that was almost 90 years old when it died in Blankenberge six years, will soon go on public view.
Giant lobster Wesley gets second life at Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
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Wesley ended up at De Oesterput restaurant in 2019 after being caught off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. It was estimated to be 90 years old and was given to the Sea Life Centre, where it died 10 days later.
Six years later, Wesley is getting a new lease of life at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS).
Taxidermist Ellen Carlier first immersed the 9kg lobster in a formaldehyde solution for several months to prevent further decay and stabilise it. She then partially disassembled it to remove the soft parts, recreated the missing parts, restored the original colour and placed it in a natural position.
“Today, Wesley – named after footballer Wesley Sonck – is on display in the scientific collections of the institute,” the RBINS said. “He is ready to be admired by the public in future exhibitions at our museum and beyond.”
The heaviest crustacean ever recorded was an American lobster weighing 20kg.