Chilean Researchers Trial Copper Vests to Heal Injured Penguins
Chilean vets are trialing copper-zinc vests on injured Humboldt penguins to protect wounds and speed healing, as populations decline.
Researchers in Chile have developed a novel recovery garment for injured Humboldt penguins: snug vests woven with copper and zinc. The technology, previously used to treat skin wounds in dogs and cats, is now being adapted for the vulnerable seabirds.
Ignacio Idalsoaga, director of the Buin Zoo near Santiago, explained that the team created a prototype mesh after studying the size and shape of the zoo's penguins. "We began to wonder — why can't this be used on penguins?" he said.
The vests serve a dual purpose. They prevent penguins from twisting their necks to peck at stitches or healing wounds, while the embedded copper and zinc work to inhibit bacteria and fungi. Zinc also encourages the growth of new blood vessels, which can accelerate tissue repair.
Tomás Pino, a veterinarian and director of the Humboldt Conservation Rescue Center in Coquimbo, noted that the birds tolerate the vests well. "We noticed that from one day to the next, the wounds were in better condition with the vest," he said.
The experiment comes as Chile's Humboldt penguin population faces a sharp decline. Surveys of major breeding colonies in 2024 and 2025 found a 63% drop in active nests compared to three years earlier. Threats include fishing net entanglement, plastic pollution, disease, and competition for food. El Niño has also warmed Pacific waters, making cold-water fish scarcer and forcing parent penguins to travel further for food.
The vests are intended for short-term use, only while wounds are actively healing. Wildlife clinics across Chile regularly receive penguins injured by fishing gear or weakened by hunger, and this experimental project aims to improve their recovery outcomes.