Veterinarians Save Tortoise From Wildlife With 3D Printed Shell [Watch]

Humans aren’t the only species benefiting from 3D printing technology. In the past, an eagle that was shot by a poacher received a customized beak, and a disabled kitten now strolls around in a 3D printed wheelchair thanks to animal rights advocates and scientists.

Now, one lucky turtle has been gifted a 3D printed shell after a wildfire in Brazil engulfed his. Mirror reports that the tortoise, nicknamed Freddy, was found by activists in Brazil with 85% of his protective shell burned away.

He was quickly taken to veterinarians in Sao Paulo who use the monikers from the Marvel series The Avengers. Their mission was to use state of the art technology to craft Freddy a new shell, and they were successful!

Dr. Cicero Moraes – “the Hulk” – began by using photos of other tortoises and signed a virtually “smashproof” 3D printed shell.

Then, Dr. Paulo Miamoto – “Vision” – printed the shell in four parts designed to snap together like a jigsaw puzzle around the turtle.

Finally, surgeon Roberto Fecchio – “Iron Man” – integrated the prosthetic into Freddy’s remaining shell. The remaining work was to paint the turtle’s shell so he could blend in like other reptiles in nature.

The video above describes all of this and more.

Credit: Mirror
Credit: GC Noticias

In the past, the “Animal Avengers” used their 3D printing technology to build new beaks for parrots, macaws, and geese. Freddy, however, is the first tortoise in the world to receive a 3D printed shell.

Dr. Fecchio described how the group came together:

“We first came together as friends because of our common love of science and our love for animals. We soon realized we could do some extraordinary work using cutting-edge technology to push back the boundaries of life-saving care for mutilated animals by giving them customized prostheses.”

Credit: GC Noticias
Credit: GC Noticias

Thanks to the superhero activists, Freddy the turtle has an increased likelihood of living a long and healthy life in the wild.

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