Buttercup the Duck gets prosthetic 3D-printed foot Published duration 2 July 2013

image caption Buttercup's new prosthetic foot is helping him to walk and swim more easily

Buttercup the duck is able to walk again thanks to a prosthetic 3D-printed foot.

Born with his left foot turned backwards, the bird had difficulty waddling like a normal duck and could only hobble.

Waterfowl sanctuary Feathered Angels, based in Arlington, Tennessee, asked 3D-printing company NovaCopy to help.

The US company made a 3D model of Buttercup's sister's foot, then printed the prosthetic out of silicone.

The operation is the latest use of 3D-printing to create prosthetic replacement body parts.

In June 2011, a woman in the Netherlands received a new 3D-printed lower jaw made from titanium.

And in May 2013, South African carpenter Richard van As designed a low-cost mechanical hand using open-source software.

Most of the "robohand", which helps people with missing fingers to clasp objects, was made using a 3D printer.