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Posted on: Thursday, April 7, 2005

Rare clams stolen from Waikiki Aquarium

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer

The giant clam heist came to light early Saturday morning when a Waikiki Aquarium staffer noticed seven of the rare, magnificently colored creatures were missing from their special Aquarium Lawn exhibit.


Stolen giant clams, similar to the smaller ones shown here that are still at the Waikiki Aquarium, could fetch $500 each on the black market.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Staff and officials believe, since nothing else was taken, that the giant clams were deliberately targeted to be sold on the black market or added to someone's private fishbowl.

So now, less than three weeks after its highly promoted opening on March 19, the Western Pacific Giant Clams exhibit has been closed to the public. Particularly significant is that the thieves selected the most stunning of the exhibit's 44 clams, which are a threatened species, aquarium director Andrew Rossiter said yesterday.

That suggests these thieves know their clams.

"We have no idea how it happened, whether it was a one-person job, or if someone was looking to see who was here while someone else was picking them out."

Rossiter said the exhibit's remaining 37 clams have been moved inside and will remain out of public view until the aquarium devises a new and safer means of exhibiting them.

"The exhibit, which is the only one of its kind in the whole of America, was built at a low level, especially so that children could have access to it," Rossiter said. "Now, they're denied that possibility."

Rossiter, who said the theft is a federal crime, asked whoever has the clams to return them — "No questions asked, a complete amnesty.

"So please think carefully, look deep into your conscience, and please bring them back."

Should the thieves ignore the amnesty, he said they face up to $200,000 in fines and three years in prison.

Rossiter said the clams were to be part of the aquarium's captive breeding program, intended to help restock the threatened species in the wild. He said the theft had been a setback for that program.

The stolen clams are smaller cousins of the 250-pound Tridacna gigas on display in the aquarium's Gallery One — the largest such creature in captivity.

The clams that were taken were juveniles, and ranged in length from 1 to 4 inches. They do not exist in Hawaiian waters, and could die quickly if not properly cared for.

The attraction of the stolen clams, which reach a total length of no more than 18 inches, is not their size but their breathtaking iridescent emerald green, sapphire blue and orange topaz colors.

Rossiter said he believes the clams were targeted because of their rarity and beauty.

Frank Gornichec, owner of Modern Pet Center in Honolulu, said on the black market such exotic clams could bring between $300 to $500 each, and that such illegal dealings are not uncommon.

"I can't believe someone stole them," Gornichec said. "Apparently, they knew exactly what they were looking for."

Randy Fernley, owner of Coral Fish Hawai'i in 'Aiea, said it would be nearly impossible for thieves to sell the giant clams locally because any legitimate dealer would know immediately the clams were hot.

"If I find anyone who has them, I'd be sure to contact the aquarium," he said. "I would never sell anything like that because it would be illegal."

Rossiter said it could be six weeks or more before the exhibit reopens, and even then, the spectacular colors of the giant clams would not be as visible as before.

That bothered many of the aquarium staff.

"We try to build exhibits that get the people as close to nature as we possibly can," said curator Gerald Crow. "And it's very frustrating to put in all that work and let people get that close to them, and then to have somebody steal them. It's a deep disappointment."

Posted at 12:06 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2005

Giant clams returned to Waikiki Aquarium

Advertiser Staff

Saying the clams were "cold, but otherwise healthy," officials today announced seven giant clams taken from Waikiki Aquarium were returned.
They were found by a staff member on Saturday, tucked in a Tupperware container with water and gravel in a white shopping bag in the Aquarium's SeaVision Theatre, a news release said.

"The clams were cold but otherwise healthy," according to a news release.

Last week, aquarium Director Andrew Rossiter said the clams were to be part of the aquarium's captive breeding program, intended to help restock the threatened species in the wild. He said the theft had been a setback for that program.

The stolen clams are smaller cousins of the 250-pound Tridacna gigas on display in the aquarium's Gallery One — the largest such creature in captivity.

The clams that were returned were juveniles, and ranged in length from 1 to 4 inches. They do not exist in Hawaiian waters, and could die quickly if not properly cared for.

The attraction of the stolen clams, which reach a total length of no more than 18 inches, is not their size but their breathtaking iridescent emerald green, sapphire blue and orange topaz colors.

I was there in 1998 and had my picture taken with them clams!

Upon further reflection on this story,i'm wondering why the people that work in the aquarium didn't stop to consider that the clams could have escaped on their own......I mean those people if anybody should know when they get that big, God gives them little feet.

I have long ago given up on eating clams on the half shell. Don't want any bad karma around in case I ever run into one of those 250-lb. jobs mentioned in this story. I hear that the Tridacna Gigas only go after people reeking of cocktail sauce and lemon juice, so I'm good.

I think Larry could be right they did leave on their own,and had the folks checked the beach they probably would have found them dancing there.

reports now coming in from Hawiai 5-0 state that all the local supermarkets in the area of the aquarium were robbed of all their stocks of coctail sauce, lemons and linguini while the clams were missing. i think it was a preemptive strike by the clams. Book 'em Dano!

i'm pretty sure of these facts even though i spelled Hawaii wrong in my last report. Irvana, if you're listening.........HELP!

Well, All I know is that they were lucky I wasn't there I really love clams on the half shell..... J/k

Hey Jen, did you know that your cousin Arlo is one of the worlds foremost authorities on Giant Clams? He also knows alot about mooses, gooses, Moses,wanderin' dudes,Pharohs and lying presidents.......which might almost be the same thing anyway.

Well no I can't say that I did know that about my cousin. I'm really excited about getting to know him better. I think it's kinda cool that he's my cousin though. Did you know that Arlo's Cousin knows alot about the deaf, winnie the pooh, children and working with the mentally ill? Ok well maybe you didn't really want to know all that about me but I just felt like tellin it

sounds like the cousins should get along just fine... jennifer, you should take a look at some of the stuff your cuz arlo is up to at the Guthrie Center, it may be right up your alley!

That will come in handy around here!

I was actually looking at that. I think It's a wonderful thing that he is doing. I think helping people when you can is one of the reasons why we were put on this earth. Trust I didn't go into social work for the money. HAHAHA

Jenn...

after reading your many posts we GOTTA meet. Hahaha don't you need a road trip or something?



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