A Crane's Wingman

In early 2023, I was invited to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to create a "cap" for the wing of a crane with an injured wing.

ODot, an East African Grey Crowned Crane, had a prior wing injury that resulted in her wing fusing in a flexed position. She used her fused "wrist" to move around and often broke the sensitive skin, causing frequent bleeding and scabbing. Since she was always under veterinary and zookeeper care for her wounds, she wasn't able to leave the barn for many months.

The Zoo contracted me to design a custom-made "cap" to protect her wing so it could heal, prevent further injury, and so ODot could return to the expansive yard in the Heart of Africa exhibit. 

Read more about the story on Columbus Zoo's blog and check out the video they published on YouTube.

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  • 3D printing the cap

  • I sewed a custom-fitting padded liner using neoprene wetsuit material

  • The complete cap assembly. The cap was held in place on the wing using velcro straps

  • The cap installed on the wing. The neoprene padding prevents rubbing or impacts to the plastic cap

  • ODot sporting her new custom wing cap

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