What To Know
- A rare condition following an accidentThe “bouncy butt” syndrome, also known as positive buoyancy disorder, is a condition observed in some sea turtles injured by boats.
- In 2019, the aquarium collaborated with experts in 3D printing with the goal of finding a suitable solution.
- A project driven by expertise and passionThis project required over five years of development and underscores the importance of collaboration among veterinarians, engineers, and researchers in meeting the specific needs of injured animals.
After being struck by a boat, Charlotte, a 137-pound green turtle, lives with a rare and debilitating condition affecting her buoyancy. Thanks to a custom-designed turtle harness made using 3D printing technology, she now benefits from an innovative and tailored solution.
a rare condition following an accident
The “bouncy butt” syndrome, also known as positive buoyancy disorder, is a condition observed in some sea turtles injured by boats. For Charlotte, the impact severely damaged her shell and spine, leading to partial paralysis of her rear flippers.
These injuries have had significant consequences on her buoyancy. Air became trapped in her gastrointestinal system and shell, causing her rear end to float permanently at the water’s surface. This position disrupts her movements, makes accessing food difficult, and puts pressure on certain organs.
technological innovation for animal welfare
The team at Mystic Aquarium faced challenges in finding solutions for Charlotte. They tried weighted belts to counteract her buoyancy issues. Unfortunately, these methods posed problems like irritation or detachment and were often ineffective.
- Weighted belts caused irritation.
- Some devices detached easily.
- Many solutions were ineffective overall.
In 2019, the aquarium collaborated with experts in 3D printing with the goal of finding a suitable solution. They precisely scanned Charlotte’s shell to create a custom harness made of carbon fiber-reinforced nylon—lightweight yet strong and flexible enough to adapt to the turtle’s natural movements.
promising results for charlotte
Since using this harness, Charlotte has shown notable improvements. Her previously inactive rear flippers are moving more actively. She balances better in the water, enabling more natural swimming behaviors typical of her species like sleeping underwater or near rocks.
- Turtle’s rear flippers show increased activity.
- Improved balance allows more natural swimming.
The caregivers use the harness as part of rehabilitation: Charlotte wears it for several hours daily to gradually adjust to this new balance. The progress encourages the team to consider broader applications of this technology for other turtles as well.
a project driven by expertise and passion
This project required over five years of development and underscores the importance of collaboration among veterinarians, engineers, and researchers in meeting the specific needs of injured animals.Gabriela Queiroz Miranda, involved in creating weighted belts for turtles with “bouncy butt” syndrome during high school in Minnetonka, Minnesota, contributed significantly. Her design earned prestigious recognition including the Naval Science Award in 2019.
