3D-Printed Brace Restores Sea Turtle’s Health and Hope

BY LINNEA 24 MAY 2023

In an incredible tale of resilience and innovation.

A loggerhead sea turtle in California has been given a new lease on life thanks to a 3D-printed brace shell.

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This lucky sea creature is now residing at San Diego’s Birch Aquarium

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And it has come a long way since it arrived in 2014.

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When it was found near a power plant in New Jersey...

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The turtle was in a dire state, underweight at 98 pounds.

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It was also suffering from a hole in its shell that caused spinal curvature.

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Determined to find a solution, the aquarium joined the University of California’s Digital Media Lab in 2017.

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Their collaborative effort aimed to create a custom 3D-printed brace to nurse the turtle back to health and repair its damaged shell.

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To their delight, the aquarium staff discovered that the project was a success and the turtle was on the road to recovery.

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Swipe up to read the full story!

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