A duck who lost both of his feet now has a fresh set of prosthetics, thanks to a Pennsylvania rescue that stepped in to give the bird a new lease on mobility. The duck, who lost both feet, received a new prosthetic pair, marking a heartwarming moment for the facility caring for him.
The update comes from CBS News Pittsburgh, which reported on the footless duck's new prosthetics at the Pennsylvania rescue.
Cases like this one are rare, but they are not unheard of. Other ducks have also received prosthetic devices.
Other Ducks Have Walked This Path Before
One of the more famous examples is Phillip, a Wisconsin duck who lost both feet to frostbite. According to NPR, Phillip was originally going to be put down before an Oshkosh Middle School teacher and his class intervened, ultimately 3-D printing him a pair of bright orange prosthetic feet. After more than six prototypes, Phillip took to his new feet. The Wisconsin duck had also been fitted with a new pair of feet made on a 3-D printer.
In Texas, a duck named Poppy needed a different kind of help after a close call with fishing line. Per El Paso Matters, fishing line had wrapped so tightly around Poppy's left flipper that it had to be amputated. Fab Lab El Paso partnered with the Stick House Sanctuary to create a new 3-D-printed appendage for the bird, and Poppy underwent regular water therapy to build strength in his remaining leg and relearn how to preen his feathers.
A Niche but Established Field of Animal Prosthetics
Prosthetic devices for ducks have also drawn interest from veterinary orthotics specialists. OrthoPets, a company known for animal prosthetic and orthotic devices, has documented at least one such case involving a duck named Dutchess and her custom OrthoPets prosthetic device, underscoring that the practice extends beyond scrappy classroom 3-D printing projects into more specialized veterinary work.
For now, the footless duck's story in Pennsylvania is just beginning, with his new prosthetic feet offering a chance at a more mobile life. As with Phillip before him, only time will tell how he takes to his new pair of feet.
