A dolphin at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan has been given a new lease of life, after being fitted with an artificial fin.
Four years ago, Fuji’s tail fin was attacked by a mystery disease and two thirds of her tail fin had to be amputated.
But thanks to an artificial fin developed by Bridgestone, a Japanese tire manufacturer better known for its involvement in Formula One car racing, Fuji is back in the water.
Fuji wears the fin for around two to three hours a day.
Now her trainer is hoping that improvements can be made to the artificial fin so that it can be worn for longer.
“We use material which doesn’t last long. The part which acts as a cushion between the fin and Fuji’s muscle, so as not to hurt it, wears off,” Yoshitaka Kasue told AP Television.
“So, in order for the fin to be used for a long period of time, we need to improve the resilience of the artificial fin,” Kasue added.
Bridgestone reportedly spent around 10 million Japanese Yen, or $83-thousand dollars to create the artificial dolphin fin.
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