A zoo hornbill just got something no bird is known to have had before: two 3D-printed beaks
An injured hornbill at Amsterdam's Artis Zoo has received 3D-printed prosthetics for both parts of its beak in a first known case.
An injured southern ground hornbill at Artis Zoo in Amsterdam has received prosthetics on both the upper and lower parts of its beak, in what the zoo says is a first known case in the scientific literature. The change matters immediately for the bird, because staff said the damage had left it unable to care for itself properly or pick up more difficult food from the ground.
Artis said the hornbill's injury damaged both sections of its beak, creating problems that went beyond appearance. According to the zoo, losing part of a beak can stop a bird from managing basic tasks, and in this case the hornbill could not look after itself and struggled with certain food on the ground.
In the clip below, the zoo highlighted the unusual treatment after working with Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UMC Utrecht and Amnovis to fit the bird with prosthetics for both the upper and lower beak.
A first of its kind, according to the zoo
Single beak prostheses have been used for birds before, but Artis said this appears to be the first time worldwide, based on the scientific literature it referenced, that one bird has received prosthetics for both parts of the beak.
The replacement pieces were 3D printed, and the zoo said the hornbill adapted quickly after the procedure. Staff said it was already using the new beak in a way typical of the species on the same day the surgery took place.
That means the biggest change took effect straight away: the bird was no longer relying on a damaged beak and had started using the prosthetic one immediately after treatment.
