Bionic tail for special dolphin

As she glides through the water, Winter the dolphin appears to be completely normal. But she is the world's first bionic sea creature after being fitted with an artificial tail.

Winter the dolphin is able to swim thanks to a prosthetic silicon tail.

Only closer inspection reveals the dolphin's rear end is entirely prosthetic.

Winter, an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, lost her own tail after being caught in a harsh crab trap.

She was found at just two-months old in 2006, floating in distress off the coast of Florida.


Rescuers rushed her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, in Clearwater, Florida, where they battled to save her life.

David Yates, the director, said: "For the first few days, we really didn't think she'd live at all.

"She had 24-hour around-the-clock care by our veterinary staff, our animal care staff, and our volunteers.

"We literally watched her every second of the day."

Winter survived, but she lost her tail and was left with just a stump.

"She had to learn how to swim without a tail, which no dolphin has ever done in captivity," said Mr Yates.

'We didn't know if she could do that."

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.

Besides his work with people, he has designed prosthetics for dogs, an ostrich, and even a duck.

"I came straight down, saw Winter and felt really sorry for her," he said.

"I said, 'OK, we'll fit a her little tail. Not a big deal.' Little did I know it was going to take a year and a half."

He explained: "With a person, when we fit a socket on them, we have one long, solid bone.

"We don't have to have the socket moving in every direction.

"With a dolphin, it needs to move along with her full spine."

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.

"Winter's spirit was very positive and she had a never-say-die attitude," said Mr Yates.

"She adapted very quickly."