How to do a beak transplant on a vulture

The beak of the female African white-backed vulture was crushed when she was hit by a car in March 2023. Have a look at how University of Pretoria researchers found a way to help her eat again.

The beak of the female African white-backed vulture was crushed when she was hit by a car in March 2023.: She was not able to eat and had to be hand-fed at the time.

Two attempts to fit prosthetic acrylic beaks failed: The beaks became unstable once the vulture would try to eat on a carcass.

The beak from a dead vulture needed to be drilled: Six small holes needed to be drilled for fitting the orthopaedic screws

A quick procedure: The vulture was sedated for the procedure that lasted about 30 minutes

In recovery: Prof Katja Koeppel with the vulture after performing the successful procedure

The female white-backed vulture with the 'new' beak in her enclosure at VulPro.: She is doing well and is also eating well.

She was not able to eat and had to be hand-fed at the time.
The beaks became unstable once the vulture would try to eat on a carcass.
Six small holes needed to be drilled for fitting the orthopaedic screws
The vulture was sedated for the procedure that lasted about 30 minutes
Prof Katja Koeppel with the vulture after performing the successful procedure
She is doing well and is also eating well.

Another first for South Africa as UP veterinary team performs beak transplant on vulture

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How to do a beak transplant on a vulture

Related Story

Another first for South Africa as UP veterinary team performs beak transplant on vulture

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UP researchers involved in discovery of nine trapdoor spider species

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