Injured penguins are wearing copper suits during their rehabilitation process in Chile, a technology originally developed to protect wounds in dogs and cats. The goal is to prevent penguins from manipulating their injuries or sutures with their beaks while recovering, a common behavior that hinders proper healing.
The initiative is a partnership between the NGO Conservación Humboldt and Kimbavet, with support from the Buin Zoo during the initial design and fitting tests. Conservación Humboldt is a non-profit corporation founded in 2015 in the city of La Serena, in the Coquimbo Region, in Chile.
The organization is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and reinsertion of protected marine fauna, serving species such as penguins, sea turtles and sea lions. The veterinary team faces the challenge of preventing penguins from hurting themselves by repeatedly touching wounds or stitches during the recovery period.
