Shoes to go with the tux: Penguin at San Diego Zoo is fitted with orthopedic footwear
SAN DIEGO — A member of the San Diego Zoo’s African penguin colony has been fitted with orthopedic footwear to help it deal with a degenerative foot condition.
The 4-year-old penguin, Lucas, has lesions on his feet from a chronic condition known as bumblefoot, which covers a range of avian foot problems, the San Diego Wildlife Alliance said Monday in a statement.
If left untreated, bumblefoot could lead to sepsis and death by infection.
The zoo’s wildlife care specialists turned to an organization called Thera-Paw, which creates rehabilitative and assistive products for animals with special needs.
The estimated age of Captain Eo was much older than the species’ average life expectancy of 20 to 30 years, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens said.
Thera-Paw created custom shoes made of neoprene and rubber to prevent pressure sores from developing when Lucas stands and walks.
Lucas’ problems began more than three years ago.
African penguins have suffered a massive population decline and are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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