A Dolphin's Tale

[3113]

Go Fuji!

Japan dolphin all smiles after prosthetic tail

TOKYO, March 2 (Reuters Life!) - A Japanese dolphin is squealing with delight after receiving a prosthetic tail to replace one amputated due to a skin disease.

Fuji's handlers at the Churaumi Aquarium in Japan's southern most island of Okinawa say the fake tail may have saved her life as she had put on dangerous amounts of weight from being inactive after she lost her tail.

"Because she was not exercising enough (after her tail was amputated) she gained weight and from blood samples we took we realized that her cholesterol levels were too high. We then were afraid that this might trigger other diseases so we had to come up with something," handler Masaya Koami said.

The tail was custom made for Fuji by a friend of the handler who works at Japan's leading tire company Bridgestone.

The rubber prosthetic device is slightly smaller than the tail of a dolphin of Fuji's size. It is made of material used for Formula One race car tires and the black silicon rubber was reinforced with artificial bone made of carbon-fiber.

Sponge rubber was used for parts that come directly in contact with Fuji's skin.

Bridgestone said they spent at least 10 million yen (about $83,000) to develop and produce the fin.

As for Fuji, the freedom that it brought her is priceless. After initially being frightened of it, the dolphin now leaps and swims with vigor.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Hum, wonder if I should risk double-posting you, again. I mean since you've already put a contract out on me to have Pop do a bit of rough stuff, what do I have to lose?

Maybe just "A DOLPHIN'S TAIL" or my favorite "WHAT A PIECE OF TAIL!"

Rumple Foreskin

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Hum, wonder if I should risk double-posting you, again. I mean since you've already put a contract out on me to have Pop do a bit of rough stuff, what do I have to lose?

Maybe just "A DOLPHIN'S TAIL" or my favorite "WHAT A PIECE OF TAIL!"

Rumple Foreskin

Yeah, I'd definitely sleep in the corner with both eyes open tonight...and wear your kevlar skivvies...

 

[3113]

Hum, wonder if I should risk double-posting you, again. I mean since you've already put a contract out on me to have Pop do a bit of rough stuff, what do I have to lose?

I can tell Pop t' do it quick, or I can tell him to do it sloooooow.

 

[glynndah]

When Hollywood makes the movie, I'll bet her "falsie" is bigger than her original tail.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Yeah, I'd definitely sleep in the corner with both eyes open tonight...and wear your kevlar skivvies...

If that floats your boat, it's fine by me. But I have a strong hunch my skivvies are way too big for you.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I can tell Pop t' do it quick, or I can tell him to do it sloooooow.

Now don't be condescending to Pop. Just speak in whatever passes for you normal voice and at whatever passes for your normal speed. He'll understand.

Rumple Foreskin