Radiology students to run scans on 'mermaid'

A group of radiology students at Northern Kentucky University are analyzing the remains of a mysterious creature known as the "Fiji Mermaid,” utilizing X-rays and CT scans to hopefully get to the bottom of what this artifact is made of. 

The “mermaids” are typically made from various animal parts crudely stitched together by a taxidermist, with the most notable feature being a fishtail. During the 1800s, they were a common attraction at carnivals, museums and traveling sideshows. 

P.T. Barnum had a particularly famous Fiji Mermaid in his collection, credited as the original, which was housed at Barnum's American Museum in 1842 until it went missing.

According to coverage from WKRC12, the radiology scans and analysis are set to be forwarded to the Cincinnati Zoo and the Newport Aquarium, where experts will further investigate the composition and origins of this particular Fiji Mermaid.

While the exact nature of the Fiji Mermaid remains uncertain, it combines features of a monkey, a fish, and a reptile. 

What is known about this particular mermaid is that it dates back to the late 19th century in Japan and was brought to Indiana by a U.S. sailor before being donated to the Clark County Historical Society in 1906, where it remains today. 

For the full story with images and a video, check out the coverage from WKRC12 at the link below.