SAO PAULO, Feb. 25 (UPI) — A team of veterinarians and 3D printing specialists in Brazil successfully fitted an injured macaw parrot with a titanium beak.
Gigi the macaw was brought to the Animal Care Center Ipiranga in Sao Paulo with a beak too damaged to eat solid foods, so the animal hospital convened a team including veterinary surgeon Roberto Fecchio, facial reconstruction specialist Cicero Moraes and veterinary dentist Paul Miamoto.
Moraes, who is also a 3D designer, shared photos of the group’s efforts on Facebook.
Gigi was successfully implanted with a 3D-printed titanium beak featuring colorful orthopedic screws that resemble bedazzlings.
Moraes said the prosthetic was the first 3D-printed metal prosthesis to be successfully implanted on a macaw.
