Tuesday, September 26, 2006

The Discontent Of Our Winter

The Tale Of A Dolphin's Prosthetic Tail


Spotted a fascinating yarn today on kutv.com
about a gravely injured dolphin, named Winter, that might get a prosthetic tail. Marine scientist Steve McCulloch, director of dolphin and whale research at the Florida Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is hoping to work out the logistics - and cost - of the exercise. According to the story on the website, the prosthesis would be the first for a dolphin that lost its tail and the key joint that allows it to move in powerful up-and-down strokes. A partial prosthesis for a Japanese dolphin, called Fuji, cost $100,000 back in 2004 and Winter is likely to need three, as she grows.

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