Turtle 'panel beater' saving lives with 3D printer and dental glue
In Victoria's Gippsland region, electrician-turned-wildlife carer Josh Neille has developed an innovative approach to helping injured turtles. Using dental resin—the same material found in tooth fillings—he repairs cracked shells on animals hit by vehicles. The process involves careful cleaning, layering primer and resin, then curing with UV light. For severe damage, Neille employs 3D scanning and printing to create custom shell replacements. Local dentist Yana Stevens supplies the materials, noting they can last five years or more. Neille has treated nearly 15 turtles in the past year at his Tinamba farm, which also shelters around 200 native animals including wombats, possums, and emus. His social media presence helps connect road users with injured wildlife, turning potential roadside tragedies into recovery stories.