Posted on 12/14/2006 3:10:30 AM PST by alnitak
The world's tallest man has saved two dolphins by using his long arms to reach into their stomachs and pull out dangerous plastic shards.
Mongolian herdsman Bao Xishun was called in after the dolphins swallowed plastic used around their pool at an aquarium in Fushun, north-east China.
Attempts to use instruments failed as the dolphins contracted their stomachs.
Guinness World Records list Mr Bao, 54, as the world's tallest living man at 2m 36.1cm (7ft 8.95in).
Veterinarians turned to Mr Bao after attempts to extract the plastic shards at the aquarium in Fushun, Liaoning Province, had failed.
The mammals had lost their appetite and were suffering depression, aquarium officials said.
The heads of the dolphins were held back and towels wrapped around their teeth so Mr Bao could not be bitten.
He then extended his arm length of 1.06m into the mammals' stomachs.
Chen Lujun, manager of Royal Jidi Ocean World, said Mr Bao was successful and the dolphins were "in very good condition now".
Local doctor Zhu Xiaoling told the state media agency Xinhua: "Some very small plastic pieces are still left in the dolphins' stomachs.
"However the dolphins will be able to digest these and are expected to recover soon."
Mr Bao, 54, was confirmed as the world's tallest living man by Guinness World Records last year.
He overtook the previous holder, Radhouane Charbib of Tunisia, by just 2mm.
Guinness World Records say Mr Bao was of normal height until 16 but then put on a spurt that doctors were unable to explain, reaching his full height in seven years.
LOL!
Am I the ONLY one who thinks it's funny that these scientists, AFTER EXHAUSTING ALL OTHER OPTIONS, turned to the guy with long arms? Sheesh.
There was once this successful gynecologist who decided to quit medicine and become a mechanic. He went to the top auto mechanics school, enrolled, and started taking a class on engine repair.
At the end of the class, the final exam involved tearing down and rebuilding an engine. A few days after taking the exam, the doctor checked his grades and was dismayed to see a score of 150 percent for his final. Surely, this was some sort of typo!
When the doctor caught up with his instructor, he asked about the grade. The instructor smiled and explained "Fifty percent of the grade was for the tear down. You did that perfect, so you got every possible point. Fifty percent was for the rebuild, which you also did perfectly, giving you another fifty points."
"But what about the other fifty?" asked the doctor, distressed.
The instructor smiled, rubbed his chin and replied "Well, I'd never seen anyone tear down and rebuild an engine by reaching up through the exhaust pipe, so I figured that ought to be worth at least an extra fifty points!"
That reminds me of the time I accidently bit myself in the ear. How did I do that you ask?....Well I was standing on a chair at the time.
It is actually just an extension (pardon the pun) of techniques veterinarians have long (again, pardon the pun) used. For example, cows are artificially inseminated in a similar manner, working from the other end of course.
This isn't evidence of backward, primitive thinking. Far from it.
"Easy Big Fella"
Clifford Ray of the Golden State Warriors (6'8" with very long arms) did this exact same thing to save a dolphin at Marine World - at the old Redwood City location - back in the mid-70's.
So the ping list is justified! 2 stories in 3 decades. Breaks a new record for low volume.
Wow. Nice Seinfeld reference. Another obtuse reference would be to find out whether the dolphins were of the "black fin" variety.
I used to be so mean that I had to hold a gun on myself while shaving to keep from cutting my own throat.
Well, this is one list I have to be on...or in..whatever.
HA! Now that is mean...and I should know since I am listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's meanest nice guy.
I expected you to say, "Ya'know, a fellow'ud have a pretty good time in Vegas with that trick!"
Get outa town!
I used to work there as a yout' and saw some interesting stuff, but never this. Are you sure you're not high on drugs? Oh wait, it's only 8:36 am in California, never mind. I'll email you in 24 minutes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.