It appears to be a hybrid of a monkey, a fish, and a reptile. The remnants of this mysterious creature, dubbed the “Fiji Mermaid,” have long piqued the interest of scientists from all around the world.
The relics come from the late nineteenth century. It is thought that a US sailor brought them to Indiana from Japan and donated them to the Clark County Historical Society in 1906.
A group of students is now trying to figure out what this “Fiji Mermaid” is.
Ongoing research
Students from (Northern Kentucky University) NKU’s radiology department are now performing research on this critter using cutting-edge modern technologies.
“I think it’s really cool,” said radiologic science major Amanda Nashalsky. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Even looking up pictures of it online, it’s so much smaller than I expected,” she said.
According to Dr. Joseph Cress, a radiologic science professor, their goal is to convey as many insights as possible without dissecting the artifact.
“With X-rays, we’re the eyes of healthcare, and so, if we can see something without really dissecting it and holding the integrity of this artifact, then why not? We have the labs here at NKU and we have the CT scanner,” he was quoted as saying by the Local12 website.
The Cincinnati Zoo will be informed of the findings
According to Natalie Fritz, archivist, and outreach director for the Clark County Historical Society at the Heritage Center, the Clark County Historical Society was originally contacted by Brian Hackett, an associate professor and director at NKU, to get the artifact to the university lab for a CT scan.
“They were looking for a similar project, like an unknown antique, to shed some like on and give a good experience to the students in the radiology program … A unique experience to have for the students,” Fritz said.
When the students’ scans and analyses are completed, the results will be transmitted to the Cincinnati Zoo and the Newport Aquarium, where experts will further explore what makes up this particular Fiji Mermaid.