Tail-less dolphin gets prosthetic after two years of waiting

Prosthetics for humans are common. Prosthetics for animals aren’t as common, but they’re not unheard of – but prosthetics for sea creatures are a different matter. At least, this is the first time we’ve heard of a prosthetic tail. Meet Winter, the world’s first bionic dolphin. Details in the full article.

From its humble beginnings as just slapped-on wood, prosthetics for humans are getting more and more high-tech each year. On the same vein, prosthetics made for animals are getting more and more sophisticated.

Prosthetics for animals aren’t unheard of of course, but prosthetics for sea creatures are something else altogether. At least, this is the first time we’ve heard of a prosthetic tail. Meet Winter the dolphin, who lost her tail in a crab trap two years ago.

Now we’ve heard of the dolphin in Japan who received a prosthetic fin last year, but Winter’s injury is much more severe and required a prosthetic that moved along with her full spine. The tail’s socket also had to be able to move in every direction.

Such a prosthetic took a year and half to make. The prosthetic was made by Kevin Carroll, who has designed prosthetics for animals before, including ones for dogs, an ostrich, and even a duck. Good news for Winter that he didn’t give up.

Via Daily Mail