Unique leopard-shelled lobster sent to Eastbourne fishmonger saved and taken to London aquarium

Nicole Frost works at Southern Head Fishing Co in Royal Parade, who got the delivery of lobsters on Wednesday, September 2, and discovered the unique sea creature which has leopard-style markings on its shell and a bright blue tail.

Marine Conservation Officer at Sussex Wildlife Trusts, Sarah Ward said the lobster was European and ‘a rather lovely mottled one’, but not a different species despite its patterning.

Nicole took it upon herself to save it from its likely fate and began calling the relevant authorities to find somewhere for it to live.

With the SEA LIFE Brighton and Hastings Aquarium unable to take who Nicole named ‘Leo the leopard-print lobster’, she contacted SEA LIFE London who were ‘more than happy to take him’.

After taking the train up to the capital, she left him ‘safe and sound’ in the care of the professionals there.

Nicole said: “He's just beautiful, and he's so rare as well. I thought it would be nice to do something with him, rather than sell him because he's not just a normal lobster.”

She has worked with animals for most of her life and having spent about 20 years as a vet nurse as well as working on an alpaca and llama farm too, she doesn’t think the ‘nurturing side will ever leave’.