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She'll use sculpting wax and molds created from a dead turtle's flipper and then custom fit one for Allison. The silicon, now only tested in saliva, will be tested in sea water to make sure it holds up, she said. Kiat-amnuay said she even plans to hand color the fake to match Allison's natural flipper. The first trial flipper could be ready within a few weeks, though Kiat-amnuay and Sea Turtle Inc.'s veterinary director are still figuring out how to attach it. It may seem silly going to so much trouble for a turtle, but Allison would not be the first animal to get a prosthetic replacement. At least two dolphins, one in Japan and one in Florida, have successfully been fitted for prosthetic body parts. Kiat-amnuay said part of the appeal is being the first to do so. "It will be interesting and it will be fun," she said. And "if you're able to work on her, you may be able to apply it and work on more turtles." Guillen, who initially thought Allison should be put down, said the work on her now might help others, especially because sea turtles missing even a single flipper are far less likely to successfully reproduce. "If we can do something for other turtles, then keeping her alive is worthwhile," said Guillen. "We're hoping we can accomplish something with Allison that will benefit other turtles."
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