Intern Gains Cetacean Seal (Flipper?) of Approval In Unprecedented Display of Inter-species Camaraderie

In a turn of events that marine biologists worldwide are hailing as 'the pinnacle of human-dolphin relations,' a research intern at Greece's renown Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, has reportedly received thumb-like gestural approval from an offbeat, evolution-defying striped dolphin, local sources confirmed earlier today.

Famed for its diversely flippered population, the semi-enclosed Gulf of Corinth, also known as the Corinthian Gulf, was the unexpected stage for this groundbreaking event. The semi-aquatic mammal in question, known among research circles as the 'evolutionary maverick,' vaulted from obscurity after catching scientists' attention with its thumb-like appendages in lieu of conventional fins.

The research intern, Nick Parascandolo, 22, enjoying his first internship in marine biology, has become unexpected headline material without publishing a single research paper (yet). The distinctive dolphin, dubbed 'Thumbo' by the research team, threw up its thumb-like appendages, or 'dolphin gestures for approval,' after Parascandolo shared his well-rehearsed stand-up comedy routine of 'flippers up, heads down, tails wiggling.'

'This was my first time doing stand-up for a primarily cetacean audience,' shared a visibly elated Parascandolo. 'Seeing that, I mean, thumb? Fin? Whatever you will, it definitely made my day.'

Though the scientific community remains skeptical of jumping the gun and labeling this as definitive proof of dolphins evolving thumbs, the sight of a striped dolphin signing off on a research intern's comedy routine with a thumb up might be just the thing to get their consideration. With 83.4% of marine biologists agreeing that dolphins are the 'stand-up comics of the ocean world,' it could very well be that Thumbo and his kin are simply riffing off the human world's funniest practices.

Research team leader, Dr. Theo Mavrostomos, while amused by the incident, maintains a level of scientific skepticism. 'It's a fascinating specimen, but to claim it as inter-species approval, well, more research is definitely in order. Nick is a hit among most creatures with a sense of humor, though, not just dolphins.'

While the scientific community may be slow to add 'inter-species comedy critic' to the list of dolphin attributes, there's little doubt in Parascandolo's mind. 'I mean, the flipper-thumbs went UP, right? So, I'm taking it as a win.'

Based on: Scientists Discover Dolphin With Thumbs