Winter The Insipiring Dolphin

Winter is a tail-less dolphin that lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla. In 2005, she lost her tail after getting caught in the buoy line of a crab trap and was forced to rely on her human rescuers to survive. That changed in 2007 when scientists fitted her with a remarkably designed artificial tail.

Today, her infectious enthusiasm and good spirits are an inspiration to countless human amputees who come to visit her every year. The aquarium has established a program that allows amputees to visit for free.

Winter survived, but she lost her tail and was left with just a stump. Winter had to learn how to swim without a tail, which no dolphin has ever in captivity.

Winter tried to master the art – but couldn't swish up and down like a normal dolphin, and could only waggle from side to side. Vets were worried this unusual swimming might alter the long-term health of her spine. So, they decided to make an artificial tail for Winter. Kevin Carroll, one of the world's leading prosthetists, offered his services.Casts were used to monitor Winter's growth and body shape and to provide the mould for her new tail. Finally, in August last year, Winter was fitted with her new silicone and plastic tail, which is 2 1/2 feet long. Now she is swimming and splashing about in normal dolphin-style.

Article Source :www.telegraph.co.uk
Image Source :www.mnn.com