A&nbsp;penguin from the San Diego Zoo's African penguin colony has been given orthopaedic footwear to help it manage a degenerative foot ailment.

According to a news release from the San Diego Wildlife Alliance, the 4-year-old penguin called Lucas has sores on his feet as a result of the chronic illness bumblefoot, which refers to a variety of avian foot issues.

Bumblefoot may cause sepsis and infection-related mortality if neglected.

Thera-Paw, a company that makes rehabilitative and assistive equipment for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/this-man-is-travelling-from-europe-to-china-on-horseback-says-the-animal-tries-to-elope-with-another-horse-511214">animals</a> with specific needs, was contacted by the zoo's wildlife care specialists.

<img alt="Lucas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fceb024e-642f-4fb1-876a-843b7485f967" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1000%20%284%29.jpeg" />

A&nbsp;penguin named Lucas does a test walk with custom orthopedic footwear at the San Diego Zoo. Photo credits: AP

To stop pressure sores from forming when Lucas stands and walks, Thera-Paw designed him a pair of neoprene and rubber shoes.

More over three years ago, the penguin's issues first surfaced.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared African penguins to be endangered due to a drastic drop in their population.

(With inputs from agencies)

Also WATCH |&nbsp;WION takes you inside Tel Aviv's Freedom Farm | Safe haven for abused &amp; rescued animals

<div><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-takes-you-inside-tel-avivs-freedom-farm-safe-haven-for-abused-rescued-animals-510680/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A penguin from the San Diego Zoo's African penguin colony has been given orthopaedic footwear to help it manage a degenerative foot ailment. According to a news release from the San Diego Wildlife Alliance, the 4-year-old penguin called Lucas has sores on his feet as a result of the chronic illness bumblefoot, which refers to a variety of avian foot issues.

A penguin from the San Diego Zoo's African penguin colony has been given orthopaedic footwear to help it manage a degenerative foot ailment. According to a news release from the San Diego Wildlife Alliance, the 4-year-old penguin called Lucas has sores on his feet as a result of the chronic illness bumblefoot, which refers to a variety of avian foot issues. Bumblefoot may cause sepsis and infection-related mortality if neglected. Thera-Paw, a company that makes rehabilitative and assistive equipment for animals with specific needs, was contacted by the zoo's wildlife care specialists. A penguin named Lucas does a test walk with custom orthopedic footwear at the San Diego Zoo. Photo credits: AP To stop pressure sores from forming when Lucas stands and walks, Thera-Paw designed him a pair of neoprene and rubber shoes. More over three years ago, the penguin's issues first surfaced. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared African penguins to be endangered due to a drastic drop in their population. (With inputs from agencies) Also WATCH | WION takes you inside Tel Aviv's Freedom Farm | Safe haven for abused & rescued animals

San Diego zoo penguin gets orthopaedic shoes for foot condition

Zoos across the United States are carrying on the Valentine's Day custom of naming animals and critters after ex-lovers, some of whom may perish in nature's food chain.

Here are a few wildlife institutions that are running naming campaigns if you're looking for a symbolic method to get over a previous flame, want to help zoo ambassadors, or have a Valentine with a ghoulish sense of humour.&nbsp;

Name a Roach at the Bronx Zoo

For Valentine's Day, the Bronx Zoo is bringing back its Name a Roach programme.

The programme, which began in 2011, lets zoo visitors name a Madagascar hissing cockroach for $15, which includes a digital certificate.

A cockroach's name does not have to be confined to exes, either.

Customers are encouraged to name roaches after relatives and loved ones at the Bronx Zoo.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Valentine’s Day is almost here and there’s really only one way to tell someone your love is eternal. Name a Bronx Zoo hissing cockroach for them. Go the extra mile and add a roach hat, roach socks, or romantic roach encounter to complete the package: <a href="https://t.co/S66H3cbGvB">https://t.co/S66H3cbGvB</a> <a href="https://t.co/E1X38037Cj">pic.twitter.com/E1X38037Cj</a>
— Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/BronxZoo/status/1483456645619494915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Orders can be submitted online, and the receiver of the Valentine's Day present will be told on February 14 that an insect has been named after them.&nbsp;

If that isn't enough, the Bronx Zoo is now selling "Name a Roach" gift packages, which include virtual interactions with Madagascar hissing cockroaches and staff, as well as roach-themed commemorative memorabilia.

Roach Socks, a Roach Beanie, or both are available for Valentine's Day consumers.

Unhappy Valentine's Day from Brookfield Zoo's Name a Cockroach After Your Ex!

The annual Name a Cockroach After Your Ex campaign, which has been dubbed an "Un-Happy Valentine's Day" event for that "un-special (or special) someone in your life," is returning to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.

Holiday visitors can name a Madagascar hissing cockroach for $15.

Customers will receive a Certificate of Naming in their donation receipt after purchase, which they can display at home.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This Valentine's Day, name a cockroach in honor of that un-special (or special) someone in your life! For a $15 donation to Brookfield Zoo, you can name a Madagascar hissing cockroach found inside our Hamill Family Play Zoo after your ex (or anyone). <a href="https://t.co/D922LjnNq5">pic.twitter.com/D922LjnNq5</a>
— Brookfield Zoo (@brookfield_zoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/brookfield_zoo/status/1482005309824589828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Buff Off at the Lehigh Valley Zoo

The Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, is conducting a Valentine's Day Bug Off event, during which zoo visitors can name bugs after their ex and see them fed to zoo ambassadors.

A $5 payment is required for each feeder cricket, which will go toward the Lehigh Valley Zoo's conservation and animal enrichment programmes.

Additional contributions are also appreciated.

In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, the Lehigh Valley Zoo's Facebook page will post a weekly cricket feeding.

The movies will feature a range of zoo animal ambassadors chewing on crickets as workers provide wildlife knowledge.

(With inputs from agencies)

Zoos across the United States are carrying on the Valentine's Day custom of naming animals and critters after ex-lovers, some of whom may perish in nature's food chain.

Zoos across the United States are carrying on the Valentine's Day custom of naming animals and critters after ex-lovers, some of whom may perish in nature's food chain. Here are a few wildlife institutions that are running naming campaigns if you're looking for a symbolic method to get over a previous flame, want to help zoo ambassadors, or have a Valentine with a ghoulish sense of humour. Name a Roach at the Bronx Zoo For Valentine's Day, the Bronx Zoo is bringing back its Name a Roach programme. The programme, which began in 2011, lets zoo visitors name a Madagascar hissing cockroach for $15, which includes a digital certificate. A cockroach's name does not have to be confined to exes, either. Customers are encouraged to name roaches after relatives and loved ones at the Bronx Zoo. Valentine’s Day is almost here and there’s really only one way to tell someone your love is eternal. Name a Bronx Zoo hissing cockroach for them. Go the extra mile and add a roach hat, roach socks, or romantic roach encounter to complete the package: https://t.co/S66H3cbGvB pic.twitter.com/E1X38037Cj — Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) January 18, 2022 × Orders can be submitted online, and the receiver of the Valentine's Day present will be told on February 14 that an insect has been named after them. If that isn't enough, the Bronx Zoo is now selling "Name a Roach" gift packages, which include virtual interactions with Madagascar hissing cockroaches and staff, as well as roach-themed commemorative memorabilia. Roach Socks, a Roach Beanie, or both are available for Valentine's Day consumers. Unhappy Valentine's Day from Brookfield Zoo's Name a Cockroach After Your Ex! The annual Name a Cockroach After Your Ex campaign, which has been dubbed an "Un-Happy Valentine's Day" event for that "un-special (or special) someone in your life," is returning to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Holiday visitors can name a Madagascar hissing cockroach for $15. Customers will receive a Certificate of Naming in their donation receipt after purchase, which they can display at home. This Valentine's Day, name a cockroach in honor of that un-special (or special) someone in your life! For a $15 donation to Brookfield Zoo, you can name a Madagascar hissing cockroach found inside our Hamill Family Play Zoo after your ex (or anyone). pic.twitter.com/D922LjnNq5 — Brookfield Zoo (@brookfield_zoo) January 14, 2022 × Buff Off at the Lehigh Valley Zoo The Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, is conducting a Valentine's Day Bug Off event, during which zoo visitors can name bugs after their ex and see them fed to zoo ambassadors. A $5 payment is required for each feeder cricket, which will go toward the Lehigh Valley Zoo's conservation and animal enrichment programmes. Additional contributions are also appreciated. In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, the Lehigh Valley Zoo's Facebook page will post a weekly cricket feeding. The movies will feature a range of zoo animal ambassadors chewing on crickets as workers provide wildlife knowledge. (With inputs from agencies)

US zoos continue the Valentine’s Day tradition of naming cockroaches after exes 

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San Diego zoo penguin gets orthopaedic shoes for foot condition

US zoos continue the Valentine’s Day tradition of naming cockroaches after exes