Gladys, an 11-year-old gorilla from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden who had a surgery last week to repair her broken arm, received a state-of-the-art upgrade in her treatment. The temporary cast has been replaced with the world’s first 3D-printed titanium cast, crafted by GE Additive.
According to Dr. Mike Wenninger, the zoo’s director of animal health, Gladys was not happy with her previous cast. “We’re hoping that this one will be more gorilla proof,” the doctor remarked optimistically. Made from titanium, the same material as the screws and plates now embedded in her arm, this new cast promises to be more durable.
Shannon Morman, advanced lead engineer at GE Additive, emphasized that such speed and efficiency in making the cast were only made possible thanks to 3D printing. “The titanium cast took around 65 hours to print, and we were able to deliver it to the Zoo team in under a week,” Morman said.
Though the new cast is 8 pounds heavier, it shouldn’t be a nuisance for Gladys, as gorillas are incredibly strong. According to the zoo’s team, Gladys is adjusting well to the cast despite her initial reluctance to wear it, so the zoologists hope it will soon allow her greater freedom of movement and exploration.
