Zoo staff teach penguin to walk again (6 photos + 1 video)
A female Humboldt penguin named Flop was born in April at Dudley Zoo in the UK. However, her mother died shortly after birth and her father began to leave the nest frequently. As a result, keepers took the weakened chick into their care. 
Vets prescribed her anti-inflammatory and painkillers. However, less than a day later, Flop was no longer able to stand up.
Dudley Zoo's birding director Nicola Wright said: "We've done x-rays and blood tests and it looks like she's fighting an infection." 
After starting a course of antibiotics, Flop began to lose her appetite and became withdrawn. Staff were afraid she might not survive the treatment.
To help the penguin nurse and regain her mobility, keepers came up with a great solution - baby bouncers.
It was thought that keeping Flop upright would relieve the pressure on her internal organs, aiding digestion and allowing her to use her legs again. 
Wright explained: "The bird was still very small. She was still growing, so it was important to provide her with enough food so she could take her medication and keep up with her development."
Every morning, Flop was placed in a jumper and fed, allowing her feet to touch the floor. A little later, she was allowed to jump up and down, and then to swim.
A treadmill and a walker were built for her. All these devices allowed Flop to stand, but she did not try to walk, even for a tasty fish. Then the team invited a physiotherapist, who gave a number of recommendations and showed exercises so that the bird would gradually build up strength. And after a few days of training, she began to lift her head and stand upright without outside help.
Wright notes: "It's about Flop and her attitude, because she did not give up. Her efforts were crowned with success."
Now the penguin is kept in the same enclosure with young relatives, later they will all join the main colony.
Although Flop is smaller than the other penguins and has a slight hunched back, her keepers believe she will become a "full-fledged member of penguin society."
