A male Cape Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) residing at the 'Artis' zoo in Amsterdam was fitted with a double beak prosthesis.
According to information published in the zoo's press release, the bird had broken tips on its upper and lower mandibles. Although the bird managed to adapt to life with the injury, it experienced difficulties feeding and grooming both itself and its partner. Furthermore, there is a risk that this injury could cause problems for future chick rearing.
To assist the male, the zoo's veterinarians, in collaboration with specialists from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University, decided to replace the lost parts of the beak.