AssetID: 53184775
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Disabled Penguin Gets Leg Up With 3D-Printed Shoes!
Caption: A disabled penguin named Larkin now has a spring in her step thanks to her new 3D-printed boots! Seven-month-old African penguin Larkin, a resident of Cincinnati Zoo who is named after former Cincinnati Reds star Barry Larkin (before it was known she was a girl), had some shoes made to help with a unique foot condition. “We noticed that Larkin was having trouble walking. It was very odd because sometimes she walked normally but other times it was difficult,” said Rickey Kinley, head keeper of birds at the Cincinnati Zoo. “During the initial medical consultation, one of our veterinarians, Dr. Nollman, created the first version of a boot from a material that when heated could be fitted to the exact imprint of the penguin foot. This boot is helping quite a bit, but there are a few issues with the shape and the way that it is secured to the foot.” Knowing that the general shoe idea will work, the bird team made a wish list of modifications that would improve the design and make it more useful for a variety of movements, including swimming. They brought those ideas to the Zoo’s enrichment team to see what they could produce. Enter the world of 3D printing. Leveraging the latest advancements in additive manufacturing, the enrichment team designed custom-made shoes that they hope will keep Larkin’s tendon from slipping out of place. “Larkin stood still quite well during the scanning process, so the team has some good images to work with,” said Kinley. “When the new shoes are ready, our hope is that they will provide support in and out of the water. Dr. Mike Wenninger, director of animal health at the Cincinnati Zoo, expressed excitement about this groundbreaking endeavour, stating, “Our primary goal is always the well-being of the animals in our care. In this instance, 3D printing technology is providing us with a unique opportunity to address a specific health concern in an innovative and effective way. We are thrilled with Larkin’s response to the shoe prototype and hope that the new design will produce even better results.” This initiative highlights Cincinnati Zoo’s commitment to pushing boundaries in animal care and welfare. By embracing emerging technologies, the zoo continues to set new standards in the field, showcasing a harmonious blend of compassion and scientific ingenuity. “For now, the shoes’ only purpose is to provide corrective support,” said Kinley. “If she continues to need them, we may put more effort into making them stylish.”
Keywords: penguin,cincinnati,disability,animals,natural world,feature,offbeat,fun,quirky,nature
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