Happy feet for endangered penguin who needs special orthopaedic shoes
This is the adorable moment an endangered penguin showed off his special new shoes.
Little Lucas, who lives at the San Diego zoo, suffers from a degenerative foot condition – but the four-year-old will now waddle in style after he was fitted with orthopaedic boots.
Who knows, maybe he’ll even be tap dancing like Mumble from Happy Feet soon.
His medical journey began more than three years ago when he developed a spinal infection.
It left him with weak muscles in his legs and the inability to properly stand upright on his toes.
As a result, there were fears Lucas would be unable to live a full life like the rest of the members of the facility’s African penguin colony.
When medication, physical therapy and acupuncture to improve the bird’s spine proved unsuccessful, sores began to form on his foot and legs.
Lucas was diagnosed with lesions on his feet due to a chronic condition known as bumblefoot, which covers a range of avian foot problems.
If left untreated, it could lead to sepsis and even death by infection.
This is why the zoo’s wildlife care specialists reached out to an organisation called Thera-Paw.
They create rehabilitative and assistive products for animals with special needs, and were more than happy to help Lucas.
His new shoes are made of neoprene and rubber, to prevent pressure sores from developing on his feet and ankle when he stands and walks.
‘We were pleasantly surprised at the immediate change in Lucas after we fitted him with his new boots,’ said Debbie Denton, senior wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo.
‘Seeing him move about now gives us hope that he may be OK going forward, and able to live a full life.’
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