A resident of the San Diego Zoo, in the United States, Lucas, a small and friendly African penguin diagnosed with a chronic disease called ‘bumblefoot’, returned to walk normally after receiving orthopedic shoes made just for him.
At just four years old, the animal has been facing a tough medical journey for more than three years. The disease can generate several degenerative conditions in the feet, from redness to deep pockets of pus, and, in more severe cases, lead to widespread inflammation and death.
After developing a spinal infection that left his leg muscles weak, Lucas needed to rest areas of his ankle that normally wouldn’t touch the ground due to his inability to stand.
Despite the efforts of specialists, who used treatments such as acupuncture, physical therapy and pain medication, there was no progress in his condition.
The next step for the treatment was then to look for representatives of Thera-Paw, a company that designs and manufactures products for animals with special needs.
The company was responsible for exclusively manufacturing an orthopedic shoe capable of protecting injuries and reducing the risk of future additional injuries to the bird.
“The boots are padded and Velcro in place to help Lucas fully participate in the colony and show behaviors that are more typical of a penguin – like rock climbing, swimming, nesting and finding a suitable mate,” explains Beth Bicknese, veterinarian. senior at the San Diego Zoo.
Founder and President of Thera-Paw, Ilaria Borghese says helping Lucas’ quest to improve his life was an incredible opportunity. “Over the years, we’ve dealt with challenging cases like Lucas’s, and each one is special and memorable. One thing that never gets old is seeing an animal’s life improve dramatically after using one of our aids. This inspires and drives us every day”, comments Borghese.
With the new footwear, the zoo’s wildlife team noticed that the animal improved its gait, posture, balance and ability to walk in its rocky habitat.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the immediate change in Lucas after we put on his new boots,” said Debbie Denton, senior wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo. “Seeing him move now gives us hope that he can be fine going forward and able to live a full life.”
“I’ve known Lucas for a long time, so being able to give him the chance to live a normal life brings a smile to my face,” adds Dr Bicknese, zoo director.
Once upon a time, the Lucas species was one of the most abundant seabirds in southern Africa, but it has undergone a massive population reduction from 1 million breeding pairs to only about 18,000, and is listed as endangered on the International Union for Human Rights’ Red List of Threatened Species. the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“As the numbers drop, every bird matters. It is vital that we continue our work to ensure their survival for generations to come,” concludes Denton.
*Under the supervision of Carolina Figueiredo, from CNN
Source: CNN Brasil
