A man who claims to identify as 'trans-species' has had two fins implanted into his skull.
Manel Munoz, from Catalonia, Spain, known artistically as Manel De Aguas, says he doesn't feel as though he's completely human.
And the 24-year-old has now had two 500-gram (17.6-oz) silicone 'fins', which he designed himself, surgically attached to either side of his head.
Advert
Speaking to local media in Spain, he said: "I don't consider myself 100 percent human."
He claims the fins are connected to a microchip which allows him to 'hear' atmospheric pressure, humidity, and changes in temperature.
The producer, who also identifies as a 'cyborg', travelled over to Japan earlier this year in order to have the bizarre procedure.
After the operation, he said he knew it might be strange to some people, but he doesn't care what anyone else thinks about it.
He said: "The skin area is sore. And I remove the fins to sleep and bathe. I'm used to people looking at me in the street, but the truth is it doesn't bother me."
Advert
Describing the physical sensation he experiences from the implant, he said it was 'a vibratory sound that travels through the bone'.
He admitted that 'it is difficult to explain if you don't experience it'.
De Aguas has long been fighting for the rights of the 'trans-species' community, and founded the Trans-species Society in 2017 along with Neil Harbisson and dancer Moon Ribas.
The latter had implants placed in her feet that were connected to online seismic sensors, allowing her to feel earthquakes.
Advert
The Barcelona-based association describes itself as 'giving voice to trans-species identities; raising awareness on issues trans-species face; advocating the freedom of self-design and offering the development of new senses and organs'.
De Aguas told the media he wants to try and burst the 'anthropocentric bubble' that dominates the world.
He said: "To this day, man lives in a sort of anthropocentric bubble, seeing nature in a vertical hierarchical ladder in which man is above other species, and for me, this project also means breaking with that."
Advert
Harbisson is the first 'cyborg' legally recognised by a government.
The Spanish-born British artist was born with total colour blindness, and he had a 'cyborg antenna' implanted into the top of his skull allowing him feel and hear colors in the form of audible vibrations inside his head.
According to reports, it also enables him to see colours not visible to the human eye, such as ultraviolet. It also has internet capabilities, meaning he can receive colours from other sensors and devices.
Speaking about the device, Harbisson said: "I see this as a body part, not a device, but as an organ. And I don't wear an antenna, I have an antenna. So I see this as part of me."
Featured Image Credit: @maneldeaguas/NewsflashTopics: Science, World News, Spain, Technology, Weird, Health