When Freddy the tortoise was caught in a bush fire in Brazil, his chances of survival were slim. But thanks to a group of pioneering surgeons known as The Animal Avengers, Freddy not only survived his ordeal – he is also now the proud owner of the world’s first 3D printed shell!
“Freddy was the first tortoise in the world to receive a fully rebuilt hull and the first creature that we, as a newly formed group of animal rescuers, decided to help,” said Designer Cicero Moraes, a member of the volunteer group based in Sao Paulo. He designed the shell by reconstructing a 3D computer image based on various pictures he took of Freddy. He then sent the design to Dr Paulo Miamoto, a dental surgeon, who turned the design into reality with the use of a 3D printer. And as you can see, Freddie looks more than happy in his newly printed home! Good work Animal Avengers! Tony Stark would be proud! You can also fund them here. (h/t)
Freddie the tortoise is lucky to be alive after getting burned in a bush fire
His shell was badly damaged so a group of volunteers made him a new one…with a 3D printer!
The group call themselves The Animal Avengers, and as you can see, their skills are superhuman
The new shell fitted Freddy perfectly but it needed a little color
So the team hand-painted it to look as natural as possible
It looks just as good as the real thing!
The Animal Avengers assemble includes four vets, one dental surgeon and a 3D designer
The real Avengers are nothing compared to this superhero team!
Watch Freddy in action here:
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Share on FacebookAm I the only one that was like, "So THAT's what they look like inside the shell?!"
I don´t know, but I think they are much more awesome than the original Avengers :) and that is serious issue because I love the original Avengers very much. It means those animal ones are really pretty awesome!! :))
That is really awesome - and evidence of what new tech can do to help animals. That, and the good heart of a group of guys.
At last a REAL use for a 3D printer! What a lucky tortoise. His new shell is beautiful!
I have only one question ,does he still grow bigger and can the shell be adjasted to his grows ,or will his own shell by time build up again ?
Can the shell grow? I mean, it's gonna be too painful if the tortoise grows but the shell doesn't.
I think this is absolutely awesome! But I'm also curious-will her natural shell grow back? If not, how often will they need to rebuild her a new one?
I'm wondering how exactly they attached the shell to the exposed bone underneath? I'm assuming since they have a dentist on the team, they used the same fixative they use on fillings, but if it doesn't stay air-tight and sterile under there, particles could get under the "shell" and cause an infection.
Sin duda... Enhorabuena a todo el equipo de profesionales que ha hecho esta maravilla!
To all of those who don't know what Sergio said, "Without a doubt ... Congratulations to all the team of professionals who have made this marvel!" Also, to the idiot who down voted this for not understanding the comment, leave.
Load More Replies...Since we don't normally get that opportunity to see what is underneath the shell.
Damn, these guys are the best! Thanks for caring about other creatures.
Thanks for sharing, I had a turtle and my two year old used to ride on his back. Also the turtle is faster than the little bunny; I really know because I watched a race!
theyd have to print another shell every few years,cause i dont think that shell will expand and harden as the turtle gets bigger....otherwise would he die if he kept growing and the shell didn't...right?
Very cool - but Freddy is a girl. Named Freddy because her back looked like Freddy Krueger.
Freddy is a girl. She was named Freddy because her back looked like Freddy krueger
Is Freddy full-grown? If not, they'll have to think about an update version.
Will he have to stay in captivity? As he grows he will need new shells?
Love this! It's only going to get more amazing with our ability to 3D print!
this tortoise will grow and get bigger by the time . by its artificial shell didn't ? don,t u think this will hurt him?
What happens as the tortoise grows? Will the shell have to be recreated or increased regularly?
Not sure avengers is the correct word. Angels springs more to mind!!!
Very cool! I wonder what happens when he grows? Will he need replacements?
Wow, I didn't think a tortoise could "lose" its shell and survive. It's amazing that they were able to provide him a new one. Wish a looong life!
bless this beautiful angle. have a great long happy life Freddie! we love you
This is NOT the first tortoise to receive a 3D shell. A tortoise that was badly injured with a broken shell during a hurricane in 2017. It was done at an Exotic and Avian Emergency Hospital in Broward County, Florida. It was shown on a National Geographic show from beginning during the healing and then with the 3D shell. It showed every stage from the healing of injuries and the placement of the 3D shell
Hello Animal Avengers, Thank you for helping animals because you are life savers. Thanks for saving Freddy. You are clever for using a 3D printer to save Freddy. I appreciate what you do for animals. We read a paragraph about you at Madison Elementary school. Maybe you should try to come to our school to show us how you use the 3D printer. Thank you for your hard work you are the best for saving animals. Stephanie, Mamadou, Nathan, Kwame, and Aishat
Hello Brazil team, I am really impressed that you helped Freddy the tortoise. You showed ingenuity and innovation when you helped animals like those. It is great that you helped them and important to the animals. Freddy the tortoise maybe would have died in the forest fire. N.
Hello Brazil team, I really appreciate how you helped Freddy. It was really brave that you showed ingenuity with your innovation. I think it was important because if Freddy didn’t have a shell she would have died. She is supposed to live for 100 years. M.
Hello Brazil team, I really appreciate how you helped Freddy. It was really brave that you showed ingenuity with your innovation. I think it was important because if Freddy didn’t have a shell she would have died. She is supposed to live for 100 years. M.
Do you have a followup for this story? I noticed they only got 2% of their fundraising goal.
I'm sorry, did you say the real avengers are NOTHING compared to them? They save the entire world, not just a few animals. How are they not as good?
Very well done gentlemen well done I bet Freddy is very pleased with his new shell.
Really cool - do they have a facebook page? I only found one completely in English with more of a focus on Africa (also cool, but I don't think it is their page, since they are Brasilians). Anyone?
Am I the only one that was like, "So THAT's what they look like inside the shell?!"
I don´t know, but I think they are much more awesome than the original Avengers :) and that is serious issue because I love the original Avengers very much. It means those animal ones are really pretty awesome!! :))
That is really awesome - and evidence of what new tech can do to help animals. That, and the good heart of a group of guys.
At last a REAL use for a 3D printer! What a lucky tortoise. His new shell is beautiful!
I have only one question ,does he still grow bigger and can the shell be adjasted to his grows ,or will his own shell by time build up again ?
Can the shell grow? I mean, it's gonna be too painful if the tortoise grows but the shell doesn't.
I think this is absolutely awesome! But I'm also curious-will her natural shell grow back? If not, how often will they need to rebuild her a new one?
I'm wondering how exactly they attached the shell to the exposed bone underneath? I'm assuming since they have a dentist on the team, they used the same fixative they use on fillings, but if it doesn't stay air-tight and sterile under there, particles could get under the "shell" and cause an infection.
Sin duda... Enhorabuena a todo el equipo de profesionales que ha hecho esta maravilla!
To all of those who don't know what Sergio said, "Without a doubt ... Congratulations to all the team of professionals who have made this marvel!" Also, to the idiot who down voted this for not understanding the comment, leave.
Load More Replies...Since we don't normally get that opportunity to see what is underneath the shell.
Damn, these guys are the best! Thanks for caring about other creatures.
Thanks for sharing, I had a turtle and my two year old used to ride on his back. Also the turtle is faster than the little bunny; I really know because I watched a race!
theyd have to print another shell every few years,cause i dont think that shell will expand and harden as the turtle gets bigger....otherwise would he die if he kept growing and the shell didn't...right?
Very cool - but Freddy is a girl. Named Freddy because her back looked like Freddy Krueger.
Freddy is a girl. She was named Freddy because her back looked like Freddy krueger
Is Freddy full-grown? If not, they'll have to think about an update version.
Will he have to stay in captivity? As he grows he will need new shells?
Love this! It's only going to get more amazing with our ability to 3D print!
this tortoise will grow and get bigger by the time . by its artificial shell didn't ? don,t u think this will hurt him?
What happens as the tortoise grows? Will the shell have to be recreated or increased regularly?
Not sure avengers is the correct word. Angels springs more to mind!!!
Very cool! I wonder what happens when he grows? Will he need replacements?
Wow, I didn't think a tortoise could "lose" its shell and survive. It's amazing that they were able to provide him a new one. Wish a looong life!
bless this beautiful angle. have a great long happy life Freddie! we love you
This is NOT the first tortoise to receive a 3D shell. A tortoise that was badly injured with a broken shell during a hurricane in 2017. It was done at an Exotic and Avian Emergency Hospital in Broward County, Florida. It was shown on a National Geographic show from beginning during the healing and then with the 3D shell. It showed every stage from the healing of injuries and the placement of the 3D shell
Hello Animal Avengers, Thank you for helping animals because you are life savers. Thanks for saving Freddy. You are clever for using a 3D printer to save Freddy. I appreciate what you do for animals. We read a paragraph about you at Madison Elementary school. Maybe you should try to come to our school to show us how you use the 3D printer. Thank you for your hard work you are the best for saving animals. Stephanie, Mamadou, Nathan, Kwame, and Aishat
Hello Brazil team, I am really impressed that you helped Freddy the tortoise. You showed ingenuity and innovation when you helped animals like those. It is great that you helped them and important to the animals. Freddy the tortoise maybe would have died in the forest fire. N.
Hello Brazil team, I really appreciate how you helped Freddy. It was really brave that you showed ingenuity with your innovation. I think it was important because if Freddy didn’t have a shell she would have died. She is supposed to live for 100 years. M.
Hello Brazil team, I really appreciate how you helped Freddy. It was really brave that you showed ingenuity with your innovation. I think it was important because if Freddy didn’t have a shell she would have died. She is supposed to live for 100 years. M.
Do you have a followup for this story? I noticed they only got 2% of their fundraising goal.
I'm sorry, did you say the real avengers are NOTHING compared to them? They save the entire world, not just a few animals. How are they not as good?
Very well done gentlemen well done I bet Freddy is very pleased with his new shell.
Really cool - do they have a facebook page? I only found one completely in English with more of a focus on Africa (also cool, but I don't think it is their page, since they are Brasilians). Anyone?
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