Primeur at Artis: injured bird receives first fully 3D-printed beak
A southern ground hornbill at Artis zoo has successfully received the world's first fully 3D-printed prosthetic beak after its original was broken. The collaborative surgical procedure, which utilized titanium components and advanced imaging, has enabled the bird to resume normal behaviors like feeding and grooming.
A southern ground hornbill at Artis zoo in Amsterdam has become the first bird to receive a full, 3D-printed prosthetic beak following a successful surgical procedure. After the bird broke its original beak, specialists from Artis, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, and the company Amnovis collaborated to create a custom solution using CT-scan data. The new prosthetic was secured to the remaining beak stumps using titanium components and screws during a complex operation performed at the veterinary facility.
The procedure is considered a global first for this type of avian reconstruction. Early recovery results are positive, as the hornbill began using its new beak to eat and preen itself almost immediately after the surgery. The bird has since returned to its enclosure at Artis, where staff will continue to monitor its long-term progress. If the prosthesis remains stable over time, experts hope that these findings will contribute to future advancements in veterinary medicine and provide new treatment options for similar injuries in other animals.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
