ROCK HILL, S.C. -- A Rock Hill company saved a Toucan’s life, and they used new technology to do it.
“The Toucan was actually attacked and injured and lost part of its break,” explained 3D Systems project management director Derek Johnson. “So you can imagine for most birds if it doesn’t have its beak it’s going to have a hard time surviving.”
When Grecia the toucan was beaten by teenagers in the streets of Costa Rica and left for dead, 3D systems stepped in to help.
Half of Grecia’s beak had been broken off, so 3D systems recreated it using information compiled into a digital file.
“They were able to pull all that data into our software and design a prosthetic beak,” Johnson explained. “And they were able to print that beak, so it was the perfect fit for that toucan and was able to give him a great outcome.”
Johnson says it isn’t the first time they’ve helped an animal in need.
“I was part of another case where a penguin was fitted with a 3D-oriented boot to help with an injury,” he said. “It really shows the power of 3D printing to be able to reach someone all the way over in Costa Rica and help this animal.”
A documentary about that toucan, it’s 3D printed beak, and it’s road to recovery will air on Animal Planet Wednesday at 10 p.m.
To learn more about the documentary, click here.