An exotic bird whose beak was ravaged by cancer was just fitted with a brand new 3D printed beak.

It all started when employees at Jurong Bird Park noticed that a 22-year-old Great Pied Hornbill named Jary had a large 3.15-inch (8cm) gash on his bill. When the bird was examined, his beak was revealed to be cancerous, and it was removed.

Since two other birds at the park had recently died of this condition, veterinarians decided to act fast and fit the bird with a custom-made alternative. Fitting Jary with his new beak was a lot of work, and engineers and veterinarians teamed up to make it happen.

“This case is a great example of how veterinarians and engineers can work together to utilise science and technology for the treatment of diseases such as cancer in all species, including birds,” said Dr Xie Shangzhe, assistant director, conservation, research and veterinary services at Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

“Together, we achieved the best possible outcome,” he added. “Jary was eating normally the day after the surgery, and recently also started rubbing the prosthetic casque on its preening glands, which secretes yellow pigment. These natural behaviours are good indications that he has accepted the prosthesis as part of him.”

Jary will keep his prosthetic until he is able to grow a new beak on his own.

Great Pied Hornbills are classified as “Near Threatened,” and they tend to live for an average of 40 years. With his new beak, we have no doubt that Jary has many years ahead of him!