3 pieces of plastic mouths helping the injured ‘HORNBILL’ by KPS Veterinary Medicine and Engineering

On April 27, 2020: at Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus the process and result of the mouth-injured hornbill care was announced that his left wing will not be functioned for the rest for his life due to a serious injury affecting the nerve and tendon, but according to the x-ray, there was no broken bones found.

This mouth-injured hornbill, a great hornbill which is the biggest hornbill in Thailand, was found with a broken bottom mouth and damaged left wing in bad condition and inability to find himself a food. After the first-aid was done, the veterinarians team: Dr. Supaphen Sripiboon, DVMSc. and Dr.Patcharida Dittawong, DVMSc. coordinated with the professors from Faculty of Engineering: Asst. Prof. Bunpoat Kunsuwan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Dr. Watchama Pothong, from department of Mechanical Engineering and Mr. Rawee Yoosamran, Agricultural Research Officer (Senior Professional Level), from department of Irrigation Engineering to work together on making a new bird’s mouth by using 3D printing technology with casting fiberglass to the hornbill mouth frame. However, there has been a problem about the hook and how to attach the plastic mouth to the real one which now all staffs will be continually solving this issue.

This great hornbill is now under conservation of Wildlife Unit, Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Kamphaeng Saen Campus due to the care and operation, and there will be delivering him to Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park after the care procedures will be succeeded. Nonetheless, the chance that the great hornbill will be back living in forest again depends on the condition himself.

News/Photos: Miss Duangnapha Wanitchakulpituk