Disabled dolphin jumping again with world’s first artificial fin
TOKYO (AFP) – Fuji, a mother dolphin that lost 75 percent of her tail due to a mysterious disease, is jumping once again with the help of what is believed to be the world’s first artificial fin.
The 34-year-old dolphin held at Japan’s largest aquarium in the southern island of Okinawa wears the rubber fin for about 20 minutes a day allowing her to jump and to swim at the same speed of other dolphins.
“We are very grateful. Although she can swim without the artificial fin, the speed is very slow and she certainly cannot jump without it,” said Masaya Kowami, a breeder at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
“Visitors have told us she looks happy,” he said.
I hate the idea of dolphins being kept in captivity but a story like this still warms the heart. I hope that she truly is happy with her new fin.
