Lego wheelchair helps injured turtle to move

  • 27 Oct - 02 Nov, 2018
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Mag Files

An injured turtle has got back on his feet with the help of a unique customised Lego wheelchair.

The wild Eastern box turtle was found in a local park with multiple fractures to the bottom of his shell and taken to Maryland Zoo's hospital for treatment.


Vets operated on the turtle to repair the fractures, using metal bone plates, sewing clasps and surgical wire to fix the pieces together. But in order for the turtle to heal properly, the bottom of the shell needed to be kept off the ground.

Dr Ellen Bronson, senior director of animal health, conservation, and research at the Zoo, said, “Because of the unique placement of the fractures, we faced a difficult challenge with maintaining the turtle's mobility while allowing him to heal properly.”

Luckily, Garrett Fraess, a veterinary student on rotation at the zoo, knew someone that could help.

“They don't make turtle-sized wheelchairs. So, we drew some sketches of a customised wheelchair and I sent them to a friend who is a Lego enthusiast,” he said.

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