Japan dolphin all smiles after prosthetic tail

[Frankie]

In light of the harsh feelings over the recent awareness on the Japanese and whaling, I thought I would also show one of the many wonderful accomplishments Japanese have done with ocean life. Meet Fuji

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.

[new reefer 03]

[CATALYST]

That's pretty cool. I love dolphins. My husband goes surfing with them on Sundays.

[lcstorc]

Awesome!

[Frankie]

I saw a video on TV featuring this dophin today and let me tell you, that dolphin can catch some air now! It was awesome to see.

[michelle9491]

Thank you for sharing this article! That is awesome!

[Jeremy0322]

Very awesome indeed. Its nice to see people working so hard just to make quality of life for these type of animals that much better!

[DaveK]

This is a nice upbeat story, but it's one dolphin verses all the other whales and dolphins that they kill each year. IMHO, the scales are still way out of balance.

[Frankie]

Do you have some other infomation or articles to back that claim up? The Japanese have done a lot other then save one dolphin to help marine wild life. The waling end of thier society is just one unfortunate reality of their culture that is wrong in OUR eyes.
My point in posting this article was to show that these people have just as much moral as we do. I could show you stuff we do here in America that would make the waling issue pale in comparison.
Until the grass in our own yard is perfect try not to concern yourself with your neigbors yard. (just be aware of their doings )

[DaveK]

Sure do!

Here are a few links -

Activists Worldwide Protest Japan's Dolphin Slaughter
Activists film bloody dolphin kill in Japan
David McNeill: Taiji: Japan's Dolphin Cull and the Clash of Cultures - this,Taiji,dolphins,dolphin,about,Japanese,Japanes e people,about this
Evidence challenges Japan's 'humane' whale killing - Whale watch - Specials
US Protests Japan's Antarctic Whale Killing
New Research Method May Ease Whale Killing

I stand by my original post. I can not agree with you that the whale hunts are "just one unfortunate reality of their culture".

While I do not dispute that we do some bad stuff, and that we are far from perfect, the Japanese have been hiding behind the "it's our culture" for decades. I refuse to be an apologist for there actions.

[Frankie]

Thanks Dave. I agree that these are some horrific doings on their fishing industry. I am on your side. I am appalled by there actions. I just wanted to call you out on it. A lot of people share their views with very little info to prove their point. Thanks for the reply.