The world's first prosthetic BEAK: Parrot found abandoned in Brazil gets radical new titanium implant made with a 3D printer
Gigi was found abandoned in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with a medical condition
Beak wouldn't stop growing, so team designed new one so she could eat
Used 3D printer to make digital model from titanium and attached it to hers
Wildlife center posted touching video of her eating properly for first time
Beak wouldn't stop growing, so team designed new one so she could eat
Used 3D printer to make digital model from titanium and attached it to hers
Wildlife center posted touching video of her eating properly for first time
A parrot has been given the world's first prosthetic beak thanks to brand new technology that was pioneered in Brazil.
Gigi was initially found abandoned in an estate in Sao Paulo and had a rare condition that meant her beak would not stop growing and became deformed, making it difficult for her to eat.
But vets in Brazil have now fitted her with a beak made from titanium, attached with blue and green screws, allowing her to eat properly for the first time since she was rescued.
Photo:facebook/ciceromoraes
Photo:facebook/ciceromoraes
A parrot has been given the world's first prosthetic beak thanks to brand new technology pioneered in Brazil
Watch Video after the cut
Gigi was initially found abandoned in an estate in Sao Paulo and had a rare condition that meant her beak would not stop growing and became deformed, making it difficult for her to eat
But vets in Brazil have now fitted her with a beak made from titanium, attached with blue and green screws, allowing her to eat properly for the first time since she was rescued
Touching footage shows her chewing on a snack after the operation, described as a 'historic moment' by 3D designer Cícero Moraes.
Vets had initially thought about fitting a plastic beak, but quickly realised that it wouldn't be hard enough to devour the tough food that macaws like to eat.
A 3D design team then came together to create a model of what her beak should look like digitally, and used a 3D printer to create it.
They then removed some of her own oversized bill and fastened the titanium model to what was left of her natural beak with coloured screws.
Within 48 hours of the operation, Gigi was chewing on food unaided and is now recovering at the Center for Research and Screening of Wild Animals at Unimonte, in Santos, Sau Paulo.
The center posted the video of her eating, with the words: 'Thanks to the commitment of all involved here in our center of sorting, our dear gigi recovers super well, without presenting any difficulty.'
Within 48 hours of the operation, Gigi was chewing on food unaided and is now recovering at the Center for Research and Screening of Wild Animals at Unimonte, in Santos, Sau Paulo
As well as using the new beak to eat, she was using it to climb the cage in the touching footage posted by the center, which said she is recovering well from the operation
The parrot has been kept in captivity so long that is unlikely she would survive in the wild, so the center is now looking for a zoo that would take the macaw in.
Many were touched by Gigi's story, posting messages of support on the Facebook page.
Angélica Mocelin Polak wrote: 'Congratulations on the beautiful work, I don't know what caused the trauma of beak but it must be something by a human being.
'But I'm even crying just reading this story, I've only seen this video, but just knowing there is people like your team is helping.'
Fernanda Picoli J Cruz wrote: 'Congratulations to all. My heart leaps with joy to see her happiness and we owe that to this competent team.'
credit: mail
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