Cincinnati Zoo 3D prints shoe to help African Penguin’s foot

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WTVQ) — The Cincinnati Zoo team helped improve an African Penguin’s foot by 3D printing a shoe to help her mobility issues.

The penguin Larkin has a unique foot condition that causes her trouble when walking.

“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, headkeeper of birds at the 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 would work, the 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.

“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.”

Larkin can be found with the other African penguins in the zoo’s African Penguin Point.