Tyre tech helps dolphin

One of the oddest press releases received in the MCN offices reveals Japanese tyre firm Bridgestone has come to the aid of a poorly dolphin.

Fuji, a female dolphin at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium lost most of her tail fin to disease and was left unable to swim well, until Bridgestone created a rubber fin made from silicone rubber. It’s believed to be the first-ever successful articial fin for dolphins, and happily Fuji has recovered nearly all of her swimming ability.

We’re not sure whether this will lead to improvements in wet weather tyres, but so far Fuji has reported no problems with aquaplaning.