Chilean researchers developed red vests with copper and zinc to help injured Humboldt penguins heal faster.
Researchers in Chile have designed red vests for injured Humboldt penguins to accelerate the healing of skin wounds. The garments are threaded with copper and zinc, elements that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi while stimulating the formation of new blood vessels.
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Ignacio Idalsoaga, director of the Buin Zoo, noted that the technology was previously successful in treating pets like dogs and cats. The researchers developed the first bodysuits based on measurements taken at the zoo. The experiment aims to address the declining population of Humboldt penguins in Chile, which has seen a 63% drop in active nests over the last three years. The birds face threats from fishing nets, plastic pollution, and the El Nino weather pattern. Tomás Pino, a veterinarian for Conservación Humboldt, stated that penguins often peck at their own stitches. The vests prevent the birds from twisting their necks to pull out their stitches while the copper and zinc act as a salve to improve the condition of the wounds from day to day.