Researchers in Chile have developed a therapeutic suit made from copper and zinc fibers to help penguins recover after surgery.
The protective suit treats injuries caused primarily when the seabirds become entangled in commercial fishing nets.
To meet the anatomical needs of birds, designers modified therapeutic overalls that were originally created for quadruped animals.
The project is a collaboration between non-profit organisation the Humboldt Conservation Center, the Catholic University of the North, and textile innovation company Kimba Vet.
Preventing self-inflicted injuries
Tomas Pino, a veterinarian and president of the Humboldt Conservation Center, said penguins are wild animals with highly flexible necks.
Pino explained that this flexibility makes it easy for the birds to reach operated areas, allowing them to pull out surgical stitches or reopen wounds that are still healing.
Traditional post-operative protection for domestic pets often relies on rigid Elizabethan collars, but wild seabirds can stress easily or suffer further injury when restrained by hard plastic barriers.
Microscopic metal fibers
Despite containing copper and zinc in its composition, the suit does not have a metallic appearance. Microscopic particles of both metals are incorporated directly into the fabric fibers.
Estefanía Guidotti, marketing manager at Kimba Vet, said the embedded copper and zinc help inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mites during the recovery period.
Guidotti added that zinc can also promote the formation of new blood vessels, contributing to tissue regeneration and the healing of damaged skin.
Copper has long been documented in medical research for its antimicrobial qualities, which break down bacterial cell membranes on contact. Zinc is an essential micro-nutrient widely used in wound care to support cell division and collagen synthesis.
Protecting Pacific marine life
Entanglement in active or discarded commercial fishing gear is one of the most common causes of physical trauma for ocean wildlife worldwide, often requiring surgical intervention to remove nylon lines embedded in muscle and skin.
Chile features thousands of kilometres of Pacific coastline that serve as vital nesting grounds for coastal seabirds, including Humboldt penguins, which frequently forage in commercial fishing zones.
The Catholic University of the North is a prominent higher education institution in Chile, recognized for its marine biology and veterinary science research programs.
