Red copper-zinc vests tested on injured Humboldt penguins in Chile

A team of Chilean wildlife specialists designed tight red vests embedded with copper and zinc threads for use on injured Humboldt penguins, the country's most concentrated population of the vulnerable bird. The concept adapts technology previously successful on domestic animals, where metal-infused fabrics have reduced infection and accelerated healing. The initiative responds to a steep drop in active nests and mounting pressures such as net entanglement, plastic pollution, disease outbreaks and reduced fish availability linked to El Niño. Penguins rescued along the coast often suffer cuts, propeller injuries, or malnutrition, and they tend to disturb their own stitches.

The copper-zinc fabric inhibits bacterial and fungal growth while zinc encourages new blood-vessel formation, helping wounds heal faster. Veterinarian Tomás Pino noted that the birds accept the vests and that wound appearance improved noticeably within a day.