3D printing started out as a kind of novelty but it was quickly established that this is one technology that would prove valuable in the future.

Aside from being a big help in the design and construction industry, it's apparent that 3D printing is also important for disabled people and animals. Companies have been working to recreate limbs for soldiers injured in war; and there have been numerous instances of children being given 3D printed artificial limbs. Now, a toucan is the latest one to benefit from 3D printing.

A toucan from Brazil was recently rescued by the country's Federal Police from a wildlife animal fair. Tieta the toucan was found with half of her upper beak missing, possibly from a fight with the other toucan she was sharing her cage with or from the illegal animal seller's maltreatment.

However, what was clear to the rescuers was that Tieta was abused and they immediately took her to the Free Flight Institute.

The toucan's missing beak was a big problem as the bird needs it for regulating its body temperature and for reaching food. Without a beak, Tieta would slowly suffer and eventually die. When she was found, Tieta was using what's left of her beak to throw food in the air and then attempting to grab it. She usually succeeded once every three attempts.

The project to create a new beak for Tieta was undertaken by Instituto Vida Livre, a wildlife conservation group, and three other universities.

The research team worked on the beak for four months before they finally came up with a prototype that the toucan can use. One of the designers, Gustavo Cleinman, of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, said that a major dilemma they encountered was coming up with a prosthesis that was strong but light.

They came up with four prototypes, with the last 3D printed beak weighing 4 grams and was 4 centimeters long. The final design took about two hours to print and the surgery to attach the 3D printed beak lasted for about 40 minutes.

Veterinarian, Thiago Muniz, said the surgery was quite risky but Tieta passed it with flying colors and has since adjusted to her new 3D printed beak. She's also eating normally.

But even though she has a new beak courtesy of 3D printing technology, Tieta will not be released into the wild. The researchers admitted that she won't survive without monitoring and help.

It's not known yet where Tieta will be transferred to, but it will either be an animal sanctuary or an educational zoo where she can help raise awareness about animal trafficking and show people the torture and pain trafficked animals experience.