When Akut-3, a 45kg loggerhead turtle, had a run in with a boat's propeller, he was left with 60% of his face missing or damaged and a shattered jaw. Things looked hopeless as he drifted through the water, hungry and in pain.
That is, until the Dekamer Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center showed up.
They can rebuild him. They have the technology.
Almost one year after his horrific accident, Akut-3 is now recovering from a successful operation to rebuild his face - using 3D printedtitanium parts.
Medical 3D printing company BTech were drafted in to help develop the bespoke prosthetics, which were able to seamlessly replace the parts torn off by his run-in with a propeller.
"Operation was successful and turtle is doing ok," a Dekamer Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre press release said. "He is able to move his lower jaw. Now we are waiting for functional attachment of soft tissue to prosthesis.
"We hope this promising technology will help wild animals for recovering from their disabilities and help them return to the wild in the future."
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