At Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo, a male southern ground hornbill had the upper and lower parts of its beak restored after a severe injury. Without them, the bird had difficulty grasping food and preening its feathers. The feathered patient now has a chance to return to its usual life, thanks to a combination of veterinary surgery and modern technology.
Specialists created custom plastic prostheses using 3D printing, and surgeons secured them with titanium components. To ensure a precise fit, specialists performed a CT scan of the bird’s head. The very next day after the operation, it ate on its own.
According to Artis, this is the first known successful case of restoring both parts of a beak in this way. If the prostheses prove durable, specialists will publish the method to help other birds with similar injuries.
