A Spark of Innovation: How 3D Printing Revolutionized Gorilla Healthcare at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo

Inspiration for improved animal healthcare can arrive unexpectedly. For Vice President of Science and Animal Health for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Taylor Yaw, DVM, CertAqV, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ABVP (Fish Practice), it was listening to remarks made at an Omaha STEM Ecosystem event by Blair Kauzlarich, former administrator of the Clarkson College 3D Printing and Training Center. This “a-ha” moment at a “Lighting the Spark” gathering led to an innovative project to improve the health of the Zoo’s Western lowland gorilla population.

A gorilla blood pressure cuff.
Custom 3D-printed sleeves provided an adaptable solution for monitoring gorilla blood pressure, tracking medication response, and detecting cardiac disease early.

That event’s presentation on 3D printing capabilities prompted Dr. Yaw to open discussions with the Clarkson College team to find a solution to an equipment procurement problem. The Zoo needed to source a replacement for discontinued fiberglass blood pressure sleeves used to monitor the health of Western lowland gorillas. As with humans, gorillas can develop hypertension and other forms of cardiac disease. Monitoring blood pressure is key to maintaining individual baselines for individual gorillas, response to medications prescribed by veterinarians and early detection of cardiac disease. Compounding the problem, the previous sleeve was sized for male gorillas, leaving the females unable to participate in blood pressure monitoring. Custom-designed and 3D-printed sleeves offered an easily adaptable solution.

The Clarkson College 3D team began the process by taking CT scans of the current model at Brown’s Medical Imaging to create a print map. The team relied on a cardboard template to confirm the dimensions. Gina Erlandson, Clarkson College medical 3D printing lab specialist, collaborated with an engineer at Materialise to create the shape of the sleeve using their 3-matic CAD software. These sleeves not only needed to be medical grade, they needed to withstand the strength of a gorilla. Through trial and error – and a bit of patience – the sleeves were successfully printed using a Stratasys FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 370 printer and ABS thermoplastic, black for the male model and green for the female. The sleeves were installed in behind-the-scenes space in the lower level of the Zoo’s Hubbard Gorilla Valley. Zoo staff, led by great ape supervisor, Christine Dupré, trained the gorillas to insert their arms in the sleeve with food reinforcers.

Three individuals testing a blood pressure cuff for a gorilla.
Gina Erlandson, Clarkson College medical 3D printing lab specialist, Blair Kauzlarich, former administrator of the Clarkson College 3D Printing and Training Center, and Vice President of Science and Animal Health for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Dr. Taylor Yaw collaborated to bring the 3D-printed sleeves from concept to reality.

“Innovation is vital in the field of veterinary science,” said Dr. Yaw. “By collaborating with a partner like Clarkson College, we are able to print customized medical grade tools for our veterinary and animal care professionals to elevate the health and wellbeing of our animals.”

This project has sparked additional interest in improving animal health through the use of 3D printing. The teams are working on medical grade shoes for a duiker deer to treat a hoof malformation, and endotracheal (ET) tubes for giraffes.

“This partnership is a testament to the power of community. An idea shared in the right space, at the right time, can transform lives—whether human or animal,” shared Trish Weber, Clarkson College Assistant Director of Radiography/Medical Imaging and Advanced Technology. By combining expertise across disciplines, the Clarkson College 3D Printing and Training Center and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium are leading the way in innovative, patient-specific healthcare solutions—proving that medical advancements can benefit not just humans, but animals as well.

A gorilla at the Henry Doorly Zoo