Pennsylvania duck stands on new prosthetic feet after years of scooting on his wings

Learning to walk is the next step for a Pennsylvania duck fitted with a new pair of prosthetic feet after years of relying on his wings to move.

Here's what to know

Stu had been missing both feet when J and J Farms Animal Sanctuary in Saxonburg took him in during May, according to CBS Pittsburgh. Infinitely Able Pets Orthotics and Prosthetics built his new pair. 

"STU HAS FEET!!!" was the message accompanying a photo of the duck in the sanctuary's Facebook announcement.

Stu could already stand in the prosthetics when the rescue shared a follow-up update describing him as "super excited" about them.

Taking more than a handful of steps without tipping forward, however, remained a challenge for Stu.

More background

Stu had managed to get around on one leg until winter. The sanctuary said that, according to the history it received, he had been born that way.

Frostbite took Stu's remaining foot. With only one leg, he could not keep a foot warm the way two-legged birds do: by balancing on one leg while tucking the other into their belly feathers, then switching sides.

"Poor Stu has now resorted to scooting along, using his wings for added stability and forward motion," the sanctuary wrote in its May Facebook post. "He's developed calluses on the sides of his wings. Our hearts are breaking for him."

"His pectoral muscles are unbelievably strong from years of propelling himself with his wings as his primary mode of locomotion. It's going to take some time for him to adjust his center of gravity and learn to rely on his legs again instead of his wings. We'll absolutely keep you posted on his progress," the sanctuary wrote.

Where can I learn more?

Prosthetic feet like Stu's are one way rescuers help animals regain their mobility. These stories follow a three-legged dog, rescued birds, a wheelchair-using dog, and a goose freed from mud.

• In Malta, a three-legged dog got a chance to walk on four legs again.

• In Pennsylvania, a dog rescue took in 650 birds pulled from one home.

• A starving puffin rescued in Cornwall settled into care and kept the name Morris.

• In Florida, a paralyzed dog got her own wheelchair before finding specialist foster care.

• In England, rescuers freed a goose trapped in thick mud in a dried-up pond.

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