From: AquaVetMed
Date: Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 1:53 AM
Subject: AquaVetMed: Science & Hollywood Combined to Describe Dolphins’ Ability to Heal
To:
Researchers Study Dolphins’ Healing Ability
January 9, 2012
Atlanta, USA – For some reason, dolphins seem to bounce back from injuries much faster than humans do. Within weeks of a severe shark bite, researchers have documented badly-injured dolphins re-growing their missing tissue. A new film looks at one dolphin’s remarkable recovery, as researchers are trying to figure out just how they do it. “Dolphin Tale” tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between an 11-year-old boy and Winter, a badly injured dolphin rescued off the Florida coast.
As moving as the Hollywood storyline is, Winter’s real life story is even more compelling. She not only survived losing her tail in a trap, she’s now swimming again – a star at the Clearwater Aquarium – thanks to a prosthetic tail created just for her. There just seems to be a special connection between humans and dolphins. Even midweek at the national aquarium, rehearsal for the new dolphin show is packed.
Dr. Brent Whitaker is the head of biological programs at the National Aquarium. He says most people don’t know that dolphins possess the amazing ability to heal incredibly fast, even from wounds like shark bites. “It seems they look horrible one day, and the next day they as though they’re sealed up and they’re starting to heal well,” Whitaker said.
Researchers are trying to figure out just how they do it and what it could mean for us. The journey began about 10 years ago for Dr. Michael Zasloff with Georgetown University. He started documenting dolphin healing, including ….
See the source (http://tinyurl.com/68p4f85) for the full story and an interesting Fox News video clip.
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Dr Richmond Loh
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