San Diego Zoo penguins wear orthopedic shoes

A member of the San Diego Zoo’s African penguin colony has been fitted with orthopedic shoes to help him cope with a degenerative foot condition.

The four-year-old penguin named Lucas suffered damage to his feet due to a chronic disease known as rhubarb foot, which spans a range of birds, the San Diego Wildlife Alliance said in a release. class of foot problems.

If left untreated, bumblebees can lead to sepsis and death from infection.

Wildlife care experts at the zoo turned to an organization called Thera-Paw, which provides rehabilitation and assistive products for animals with special needs.

Thera-Paw created custom shoes made of neoprene and rubber to prevent pressure sores when Lucas stood and walked.

The penguin problem started more than three years ago.

The African penguin population has plummeted and is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.