{O/C} To a story that will wreathe you in smiles.
An African penguin at the San Diego Zoo in California has finally christened an orthopaedic footwear to help tackle its ailing feet.
{RVO}
This four-year-old penguin named Lucas suffers from lesions to his feet that have lingered for three years due to a chronic degenerative foot condition dubbed bumblefoot.
If left untreated this could culminate with sepsis or bacterial infection and ominously, death.
Made of neoprene and rubber, the custom shoes prevent and assuage pressure sores when the penguin stands and walks.
The idea emanated from a special needs animal rehabilitation organisation called Thera-Paw.
Meantime, precious African penguins like Lucas are witnessing a nosediving population, which is why the the International Union for Conservation of Nature has labelled them as endangered animals.
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