A one-legged oriental white stork has managed to find its footing again after a custom-built prosthetic was fitted at a wildlife rescue center in north China. Staff there are now assessing whether this unique bionic bird is ready to be released back into the wild.
The stork was brought to the Sunshine Wildlife Rescue and Shelter Center in Tianjin Municipality back in 2024 with a severe injury after its left leg became entangled in netting. A resulting infection was so serious that amputation was required.
While staff at the center slowly nursed the bird back to health, it was initially determined that it would be unable to survive in the wild on a single leg. To change its future, the team searched for a solution that would eventually allow it to return to nature.
Last year, staff began experimenting with prosthetic designs, testing a range of materials including carbon fiber, plastic, and rubber. Each attempt improved the outcome, but the key challenge was developing a suitable “shock absorber” to make the prosthesis feel more natural to the stork and help it fully restore its movement.
Oriental white storks typically land and step with the front of the foot first, and walking naturally requires a strong upward rebound. To deal with this, the latest prosthetic developed by the teams incorporated a mechanical component to allow for finer adjustments while providing cushioning to support the bird as it walks.
"The internal compression rod and clasp system enables [the stork to have] micro-adjustments so that the stork is able to better get used to [walking with the prosthesis]. And the [prosthesis] can match the height of the stork's remaining leg while offering both walking support and shock absorption," said Li Zheng, a staff member at the Tianjin Wildlife Rescue and Domestication Breeding Center, as he showed off the final design.
The 17-centimeter-tall prosthesis is made from resin and silicone, and it is designed to weigh roughly the same as a normal bird leg. Its orange color was also chosen to help it blend in with its peers.
The breakthrough came on the morning of Wednesday, when staff carefully carried out the fitting. After nearly an hour-long, non-invasive procedure, the prosthesis was successfully installed.
Returning to its outdoor enclosure, the stork took some time to adjust and adapt to the new feeling. But, before long, it was soon seen attempting to step up onto a rocky formation with its new leg leading the way, and after a couple of shaky moments it appeared able to keep its balance.
Next, staff say they will monitor and assess how well the stork is acclimatizing to the brand new prosthetic. If they deem it can live and move normally, the bird will be released back into the wild at an appropriate time.
One-legged stork finds feet again after being fitted with custom prosthetic leg
A top Iranian football team has made a defiant return to the field amid the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, with the players paying tribute to those who have lost their lives and vowing to keep up their training routines as the Iranian national team still looks towards this summer's FIFA World Cup.
After nearly 40 days of conflict following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, and amid the current two-week truce period, the Esteghlal Football Club made an emotional return for a special public training session in front of fans in Tehran on Saturday.
Esteghlal are one of Iran's most decorated teams and currently sit at the top of the Persian Gulf Pro League, Iran's top domestic competition, which was indefinitely suspended when the war erupted on Feb. 28.
While uncertainty still hangs in the air over whether the league season can be completed, the club's players and staff feel that showing up to do what they do best is in itself a powerful act of resilience.
There was a moment of joy as the team took to the training field on Saturday, with a live band playing, and the players lining up before the spectators for an emotional reunion.
Before the training session began, however, attendees paused to observe a minute of silence for the more than 160 students killed in a missile strike at a girls' elementary school in Minab in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan.
Club officials say they were looking to send out a strong message by arranging this poignant training day.
"Our last match was held two days before the war began. Based on our prior planning, we immediately sent the foreign players back to their home countries. After 43 days, 40 of which the country was involved in the imposed war, we arranged today's program to show the world that the people of Iran are alive, and that football is part of the flow of life," said Ali Tajernia, board chairman of the Esteghlal Football Club.
Questions have been raised over the nature of the attacks launched by the U.S. and Israel, with the Iranian side accusing them of targeting civilian facilities, including sporting venues.
"Attacks on sports facilities and stadiums, some of which were places where students were playing, are being documented. We are currently preparing these documents and will submit them to the United Nations," said Vahid Abideh, the club's advisor for foreign relations and public diplomacy.
While the domestic football season has ground to a halt, Iran is still set to take its place at this summer's 48-team FIFA World Cup, according to organizers.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will play its matches in the United States during the tournament, with "no plan B" in place despite the tensions between the two nations.
U.S. President Donald Trump has previously said that the Iranian national football team should skip the tournament "for their own life and safety."
FIFA has reportedly refused a request by the Iranian side to move its first round matches to Mexico. Iran has been placed in a group containing Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, and is set to play its first match against the latter in Los Angeles on June 15.
Iranian football team return to training pitch in show of resilience after weeks of war
