A southern ground hornbill at an Amsterdam zoo has become the first bird in the world to receive 3D-printed prostheses for both its upper and lower beaks.
The hornbill suffered severe damage to its beak following an injury, leaving it unable to feed or groom itself properly.
Artis Zoo officials noted that a bird losing part of its beak loses far more than just its appearance.
Zoo experts added that while single beak prostheses have been fitted previously, this marks the first time worldwide that a bird has received both upper and lower replacements.
The hornbill adjusted rapidly to the 3D-printed attachment and was seen eating independently on the day of the surgery.
&uuid=(email))