Not to worry if a turtle looses a flipper! There was a sea turtle—named Allison—who was found on South Padre Island missing 3 flippers.What is the solution? Prosthetic flippers—how awesome! Rather than swimming in circles (talk about getting sea sick), Allison will now have a "direction". These are apparently made from the silicon that is used from human facial prosthetics.
According to the Dallas Morning News, she will be the "first sea turtle to get a prosthetic but not the first animal. At least two dolphins have been fitted."
I would love to be a marine biologist (in another life) and am fascinated with the world that lives below us. Now that scientists are working on something like this, it makes me feel like the possibilities are endless!
As slow as turtles are, perhaps they can speed Allison up with these flippers and make her life just as rich and fulfilling as with regular flippers! I wonder if the turtle and dolphins with prosthetics will be an inspiration for a new exhibit at Sea World? :)
Love,
Jen
