Injured Hornbill Receives First Dual Beak Prosthesis in the Netherlands

A southern ground hornbill at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam has become the first bird in the world to receive 3D-printed prostheses for both its upper and lower beaks, GDNOnline reported. The bird suffered severe damage to its beak following an injury, which left it unable to feed or groom itself properly. [1]

Zoo officials noted that losing parts of a beak severely impacts a bird beyond its appearance. While single beak prostheses have been fitted to birds in the past, experts at the zoo confirmed that this is the first time a bird has received replacements for both beak sections. [1]

As HEROIC BREAKING NEWS reported earlier, the injury previously prevented the hornbill from proper self-care and feeding from the ground. Birds are toothless, beaked animals that rely heavily on their beaks for daily survival functions. [3][5]

Following the surgery, GDNOnline reported that the hornbill adjusted rapidly to the new 3D-printed attachments. The bird was seen eating independently on the same day the operation took place. [1]