Bird Receives World First Double 3D-Printed Beak Prosthetics

An injured southern ground hornbill at Amsterdam's Artis Zoo has made history as the first bird globally to be fitted with two custom-made 3D-printed beak prosthetics. The procedure aimed to restore the bird's ability to eat and improve its overall quality of life.

Aiding a Compromised Beak

The young male hornbill suffered fractures to both his upper and lower beaks, severely impacting his capacity to feed himself. Artis Zoo, in collaboration with the Veterinary Medicine department at Utrecht University, undertook the innovative procedure. "A bird that loses part of its beak loses much more than just a piece of its appearance," the zoo stated on Facebook. "It meant that he could not take care of himself and could not pick up more difficult food from the ground."

The zoo noted that for a young bird with a potentially long lifespan, improving its quality of life was a priority. While single prosthetic beaks have been used for birds in the past, this marks the first known instance worldwide of a bird receiving both upper and lower beak prosthetics.

The Prosthetics Process

Specialists from Utrecht University utilized the broken pieces of the hornbill's original beak, alongside a scan of its head and the remaining stumps, to design the two artificial prosthetics. The prosthetics, printed from plastic, were then surgically attached using screws by veterinarians Bjorn Meij and Lucinda van Stee.

The surgical team's primary concern was the bird's potential distress and refusal to eat, as the plastic prosthetics would not provide any sensation. "Our biggest concern was that he would become so upset that he would stop eating," the zoo explained. A contingency plan was in place, allowing for the prosthetics to be removed if necessary.

Immediate Success and Future Monitoring

Remarkably, the bird began using its new beak on the same day as the operation. Despite needing to adapt to the new shape and weight, the hornbill appeared comfortable and was observed picking up a mouse from the ground the following morning. The zoo reported that the bird was eating independently with its new beak the same day.

Artis Zoo is continuing to monitor the bird's behavior closely. Spare parts for the prosthetics have been manufactured to allow for replacement if damage occurs. The zoo also plans to observe any changes in the bird's behavior and its interactions with its female partner. Researchers are interested in comparing its current actions with its pre-prosthetic behavior.

Furthermore, the zoo hopes that the functional beak will play a role in the pair's future nesting success. "A well-functioning beak can also be important for mutual interaction and for caring for the young," the zoo stated, expressing anticipation for the possibility of welcoming offspring.