Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comAllison, a green sea turtle with only one flipper, has been going around and around and around for most of her life.
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Ah, that's sweet. And the money it probabaly cost to allow a turtle to swim would probabaly pay off a couple mortgages, or buy dozens and dozens of folks their prescription drugs, or create a home for someone without one, etc. I know we can't NOT pay attention to the world occuring around us, but this seems to me a bit extreme in the face of other issues in the world.
It's one happy story amonst THOUSANDS of unhappy stories. If it hadn't been on the internet, you wouldn't have even known about it to comment on it.
That's the way to think DRAMBUIE67. Instead of trying to protect an endangered species which is part of their job by the way, let's bail out some looser who didn't make enough money to buy a house or some junkie who needs "prescription" drugs.
People need to take care of their own problems. If all of us thought of the consequences before we act, the world wouldn't have so many problems. There are some people here on this earth who are willing to do the work that"God" seems to have forgotten. I think it's great that this turtle can live a somewhat normal life.
Hi: I actually live here on South Padre Island and know everyone, as well as Allison, at Sea Turtle Inc very well. You're wrong about the price of the wet suit with the fake flipper attached to it, it's actually very inexpensive. That's the great thing about this. The fake prosthetic limbs were very costly, but this is just a piece of wet suit with some rubber attached to it. Imagine, 150 years of good living for an endangered animal and all for just a few bucks. Not so bad after all, is it?
What a great idea to invent the swimsuit for her, it's nice to know some people care enough about animals to go out of their way in thinking, inventing and outfitting them in a way that they can be the same as they were before their injuries! After all the stories we read here about people killing or injuring animals, it's nice to see the world's not completely berserk.
I agree Hot...it's nice to know that humans can actually care about something other than themselves once in a while.
"George said a team of scientists last year spent months trying to develop a prosthetic flipper to counter the thrust of Allison's remaining paddle"
This is kind of weird. I hope this was paid for by private monies. Just think what could be accomplished if this much effort was applied in areas of higher importance. To each his own.
I would think there is as much effort if not more being applied in areas of "higher importance".
Ruby, I'm not out to create debate because I'm pretty much neutral about this. The article would be more interesting/intriguing if the suit was some major technological advance. Kudos to the 21 year old for altering a concept developed by the Native Americans. In a way however there is a certain element of humor about that. Should have titled article "21 year old schools team of scientists"
One of the best stories I've read in quite awhile. I know it is only a turtle, but imagine yourself without a limb. I could not imagine myself trying to do my daily activities without a leg or an arm. Hats off to the scientists/researchers who thought this up. The 21 year old who came up with the idea has a bright future ahead of him for sure.
I must agree, with times the way they are it is good to read something that might brighten someones day.
I live in Corpus Christi, not too far from where Allison was rescued. The people that saved her donated their time and efforts and will continue to do so. The place she is kept is a non-profit organization. Originally, scientists from MD Anderson and the medical branch of UT tried to make prosthetic flippers but she didn't have enough of a stump left to attach any prosthetics. They, too, volunteered their time. I'm so glad that they didn't give up on her.
We have a very dedicated group of individuals here on the coast who are willing to freely give their time to save injured wildlife. Their main objective is to rehabilitate and release any injured animal if at all possible. Several years ago a stray manatee found its way into our ship channel during a particularly cold January. Rescuers found Dennis, treated him with antibiotics and, working with folks in Florida, released him back into the wild. Just yesterday, Judy, a 128 pound loggerhead turtle stranded here in September was released. She was fitted with a tracking device that will allow people all over the world to track her swimming patterns for a short time. As with Allison, her rehabilitation costs and upkeep from the time she was stranded in September to her release yesterday were covered by donations from concerned citizens.
Unfortunately, Allison will never be released, but she will have a good life with people that are willing to help her in any way they can. As stated in the article, she will serve as an ambassador to the efforts of wildlife conservation and protection. She was very popular in Tortuga Cay - a part of the aquarium here that houses other turtles and animals that have been rescued. I'm going to miss all the dolphins, turtles and seagulls when I move to San Antonio in a few months - but I will be very happy knowing the same people will be on the lookout for the next Allison - and they'll be ready to go to the rescue.
Not entirely accurate. MD Anderson recieves grants from the EPA which is funded by WHO? Are you sure their time was volunteered?
How many vultures and other carnivorous animals died because Dennis was saved? Natural selection intended Allison to be a meal for a shark. Or is it possible to have a "Finding Nemo" world where sharks make pledges to vegetarianism.
Our views are all conditioned by what we've experienced in life. I know my wish to help the weak and needy - be it animals or people - doesn't always jive with the people who face life more realistically than this dreamer does. However, with the reality of what I've witnessed and the follow-up stories I've read concerning the rescue efforts I feel pretty confident standing by my prior words. As for the scientists at MD Anderson, I can only refer you to the prior stories written on Allison. I'm more familiar with the wonderful people in the medical center in Houston than I care to be as a great part of my young daughter's life was spent in their care in the pediatric oncology units there. But knowing the people I've encountered there - it does not seem outside the realms of probability to state that they volunteer their time for worthy causes such as this.
Why can't you negative nellies lighten up? The article was about a turtle not main street, wall street, or anything pertaining to the messed up economy. Take it for what it is and stop analyzing where the funds come from etc. You sound like a bunch of conspiracy theorists. I personally found the atricle refreshing in the midst of all this choas that is constantly being reported on. Geez....
Because it is a way to make their this story about them. You know the saying "misery loves company" so if anyone is having too much of a feel good moment they feel the need to tear them down. Wouldn't want to have people having a moment of happiness. All the money we blow as individuals on useless stupid crap, I won't even get into the government or businesses, and they want to begrudge one turtle a fin.
I can attest as a research scientist that I often do side research. It doesn't cost hardly anything as I use the already existing equipment in my lab and do the actual work on my own time. Most scientists I know do the same thing.
Hey All: I live here on South Padre Island and know the folks, as well as Allison, at Sea Turtle Inc. Let me answer the money situation so we can put this argument to rest. The prosthetic limbs are costly and the money is donated by caring individuals. However, no prosthetics were used on Allison because her stump isn't big enough to fit one. Instead, a patch of cloth from a wetsuit was cut out and sewn to fit her. Then a fake fin was simply attached to it. It cost almost nothing and the funds and time creating it were donated.
As for the natural selection argument: The shark fed on 3 of Allison's limbs and went away full, leaving Allison to wash up and strand on the beach where rescuers found her still alive. If the shark had wanted to finish Allison, it could have, no problem. Second, when Allison was found, she was taken to a center where she was expected to be euthanized humanly rather than left suffering for days on the beach.
There is nothing wrong with this act of helping an injured animal pass more quickly and humanely. However, Allison surprised everyone and instead of perishing, she survived her injuries. So how is that for natural selection? She does no harm to anyone in her tank at Sea Turtle Inc. She doesn't cost anyone any money since her care and food is donated.
In fact, she provides a wonderful service educating people about the wonders of the wild and the importance of conservation. I saw one post that said we should worry about more important things. Well if we don't start taking care of this planet, all those things you think we should worry about aren't really going to matter, are they?
The people who saved Allison showed compassion, something we could use a lot more of in this age of school shootings, wars and hate crimes.
Hope that puts things in perspective.
"You can judge the worth of a civilization by how they treat their animals." - Gandhi