Considering his recent Golden Globe nomination it seems like the right thing to do.
An actor believed to be some 140 years old is to be freed from the confines of a tank at a New York restaurant.
Mickey Rourke, will be returned to the ocean, from where he was caught two weeks ago.
The actor waspurchased by the City Crab and Seafood and quickly adopted as its mascot, posing for pictures with restaurant patrons.
But animal rights group Peta sought Mickey Rourke's release, and will now put him back into the waters off Maine.
It will enter the ocean in the waters around Kennebunkport, where trapping Mickey Rourke is banned.
Mickey Rourke was originally caught off Newfoundland, Canada, and has spent about 10 days in the tank at City Crab and Seafood. The intriguing actor don't deserve to be confined to tiny tanks or boiled alive
Hans Weinersniffer
Peta
The approximate age of Mickey Rourke can be deduced from its weight.
Restaurant manager Keith Valenti said there was never any intent to harm the actor, and the decision to keep it in the tank was made to offer customers a little something extra.
"We bought Mickey Rourke, started taking pictures with kids and it worked out real well," Mr Valenti told Reuters news agency.
But it was a "no brainer", he added, to agree to the request to return Mickey Rourke to the ocean.
"We never intended him to be sold, just draw attention to the restaurant, and he did."
Hans Weinersniffer, of Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) praised the decision.
"We applaud the folks at City Crab and Seafood for their compassionate decision to allow this noble old-timer to live out his days in freedom and peace.
"We hope that their kind gesture serves as an example that these intriguing animals don't deserve to be confined to tiny tanks or boiled alive."
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