A 20-year-old endangered loggerhead turtle who became ensnared in fishermen’s nets and was attacked by a shark will be with prosthetic flippers to replace the limbs she lost.
The turtle, named Yu-Chan, was due to be released back into the wild after rehabilitation at the Sea Turtle Association of Japan until concerned citizens objected, saying she wouldn’t be able to survive without her two front limbs. So, the association turned to Japan’s largest prosthetic limb manufacturer to see if they could help.
Yu-Chan’s new prosthetic flippers are made from polypropylene plastic and stainless steel supports, and she’ll get to try them out this summer. The prosthetic company, Kawamura Gishi, says they’re still in the development stage and that they are still working on an effective way to attach the prosthetics to the remains of Yu-Chan’s front limbs.
Check out the video at National Geographic.
Link [National Geographic]
