Fred, an incredibly cute tortoise from Brazil, has been given the world’s first 3D-printed prosthetic shell after losing most of her own in a devastating forest fire. Her survival story is nothing short of remarkable.

After the blaze, Fred endured two bouts of pneumonia and went 45 days without food before being discovered by a volunteer group known as the Animal Avengers. It was they who gave her the playful name—“Fred,” though veterinarian Rodrigo Rabello joked it made her look like “Freddy Krueger” at the time.

Thankfully, one of the volunteers was a skilled 3D designer. Faced with the challenge of reconstructing 85 percent of Fred’s shell, the team got to work. Using 40 detailed photos of Fred and comparisons with healthy tortoises, they virtually rebuilt what her shell should look like.

Graphic designer Cicero Moraes explained, “We took a healthy animal, photographed it from every angle, reconstructed it in 3D, and then used that as a model for Fred.”

The 3D printing process itself was painstaking. The shell was printed in four jigsaw-like puzzle pieces, made from a corn-based plastic that costs $136 per kilogram. Each piece took 50 hours to print, ensuring the shell was strong enough to protect Fred just like the real thing. Once printed, the pieces were carefully assembled around her body and painted to look natural. Brazilian artist Yuri Caldera was brought in to give the final touch, ensuring the shell resembled the patterns of a real tortoise.

Today, Fred is living comfortably with Rabello, her recovery progressing well. “This is a landmark in veterinary medicine,” Rabello told Brazilian outlet Fantastico. “From now on, we enter a new era, especially in the care of wild animals.”

The Animal Avengers have used similar technology to help other animals in need, including creating artificial beaks for three injured toucans, a parrot, and a goose. As Rabello puts it, “It’s total satisfaction. We will always strive to save a life, no matter whose.”

Fred’s story is a heartwarming example of how innovation and compassion can come together to give animals a second chance at life.