A popular mermaid performer in Hawaii is appealing for help after someone stole an essential part of her costume - her tail.
Mermaid Kariel, who has 151,000 followers on Instagram, puts on kid-friendly performances at hotels where she teaches children about ocean safety, water conservation and self confidence.
After a robbery at her home, her one-of-a-kind blue, sparkly tail was taken.
Mermaid Kariel values the tail at nearly $11,000. The fins are made from custom silicon moulds and hand painted, and she spent a year hand sewing it with over 10,000 sequins.
Speaking to Hawaii News Now, she said she's heartbroken as the tail is part of her character:
"There's been thousands of kids that have enjoyed this. What I give to them is my character and today I woke up and had to scramble and figure out how I was going to see those kids today."
"These tails, they're so much money to buy and take so long to make that it's almost like borrowing someone's wedding dress."
"I would love to know it's not totally destroyed in the trash and that there's hope of getting it back."
