JAKARTA - A three-month-old giraffe at the San Diego Zoo, United States was fitted with leg braces to correct abnormalities in its legs.
The female giraffe cub, named Msituni, has special orthotic supports attached to its front legs to correct hyperextension of the carpi - a bone similar to the human wrist. This condition makes it difficult to stand and walk.
The zoo teamed up with the San Diego company Hanger Clinic, which usually makes orthotics and prosthetics for humans, to create a special brace for Msituni.
"Hyperextension, deformed joints, is a big problem for the cubs," said Matt Kinney, senior veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
"So initially we stabilized the joint with a cast, while we had time to buy some over-the-counter wire. Installed it the next day and found it wasn't strong enough and needed upgrading".
The clamp is made of molded carbon graphite designed with a giraffe pattern to allow Msituni to blend in with its surroundings.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in a statement that Msituni's chances of survival would be very low without treatment.
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