Turtle gets prosthetic legs

KOBE--A loggerhead turtle that lost parts of its forelegs in a shark attack received artificial limbs here Saturday.

The 68-kilogram turtle with a 74-centimeter shell, named Yu-chan, has been under the care of the Sea Turtle Association of Japan since it was found trapped in a fishing net last June.

The nonprofit organization hopes to return the turtle to the open sea in a year or two after observing it swim with the prosthetics and making needed adjustments.

The artificial legs, made of polypropylene and stainless steel, are 65 centimeters long and weigh 1.3 kilograms each.(IHT/Asahi: June 22,2009)