GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A John Ball Zoo flamingo is getting a leg up thanks to some extra support provided by a custom brace.
Andes the flamingo suffered an injury this winter that made it hard for him to move. Veterinarian Ryan Colburn, the director of animal health and well-being at the Grand Rapids zoo, says his team tried to brace it, but knew a better solution was needed.
“We made a brace here out of things that we could get at the hardware store and kind of played with what the fit would be and then once we kind of landed on how it was functioning for him, then it was time to get something more long-lasting,” Colburn said.
The animal care team does not know exactly how the flamingo was injured.
“Just like a human being, any trip, slip, fall could happen and likely with them in and out of the pool, there’s slippery surfaces. He may have slipped. But with such narrow tiny legs it’s really easy for them to sustain a minor injury,” Colburn said.
The zoo contacted Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, which typically builds braces for humans, to provide its expertise.
Brittany Weeks, a certified orthotist who designed the brace, said what Andes ultimately ended up using is actually the second version of the design.
“Their anatomy is very different from a human. Their legs are very small but quite symmetrical, so we knew that a traditional casting routine wasn’t going to work for him. We ended up taking a lot of measurements and constructed a model,” Weeks said. “We needed something that could withstand being wet, being dry and picked at like you’ve probably seen him do with the Velcro. I would say it’s as durable as we could make it be.”
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Andes the flamingo from John Ball Zoo received a leg brace from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (Courtesy MFB) -
Andes the flamingo from John Ball Zoo received a leg brace from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (Courtesy MFB) -
Andes the flamingo from John Ball Zoo received a leg brace from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (Courtesy MFB) -
Andes the flamingo from John Ball Zoo received a leg brace from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (Courtesy MFB) -
Andes the flamingo from John Ball Zoo received a leg brace from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (July 18, 2025) -
Andes the flamingo from John Ball Zoo received a leg brace from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. (July 18, 2025)
Fans who gathered around the flamingo habitat Friday were happy to see Andes keeping up with the flock. Emily Prinsen is visiting West Michigan from Ohio and wanted to see what all the fuss was about at the popular exhibit.
“That’s really cool,” Prinsen said. “I really like when zoos are able to help rehabilitate the animals.”
