&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Benson_carp.jpg) | |
| Species | Cyprinus carpio |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Hatched | 1984 |
| Died | 4 August 2009 (aged 24–25) |
Benson (1984 – 4 August 2009)[1] was "Britain's biggest and best-loved" common carp.[2][3] Benson's popularity was such that she was caught 63 times in 13 years, although the accessibility that made her popular was also the cause of controversy among angling's elite. She has also been referred to as "the people's fish"[4] and was voted by readers of Angler's Mail as Britain's Favourite Carp in 2005.[1]
The fish, who was female, was originally one of a pair: her original companion, Hedges, disappeared in a flood of the River Nene in 1998.[1] Both fish were named due to a hole in Benson's dorsal fin that resembled a cigarette burn,[1] in a reference to Benson & Hedges. At her peak weight, in 2006, she weighed 64 pounds 2 ounces (29.1 kg).[5]
Benson died on 4 August 2009, aged 25. At the time of her death, she weighed the same as a large dog and was worth £20,000.[6] The owner of the lake where she lived alleged that she was accidentally poisoned by anglers using uncooked tigernuts as bait, though evidence points to the contrary (see section on death below). Another possible cause of death was the complications during egg production.[5]
- ^ a b c d Low, Valentine (4 August 2009). "Angling world in mourning for Benson the celebrity carp". The Times. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
- ^ "Benson". The Economist. 13 August 2009. Archived from the original on 17 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
- ^ "Death of 'the people's fish'". BBC News. 4 August 2009. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- ^ "Fishermen mourn death of a carp". BBC News. 4 August 2009. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Benson". The Economist. 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Britain's biggest common carp is 'poisoned'". The Daily Telegraph. London. 4 August 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.