A southern ground hornbill at a Netherlands zoo has become the first bird in the world to receive 3D-printed prosthesis on both its upper and lower beak.

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- A southern ground hornbill at a Netherlands zoo has become the first bird in the world to receive 3D-printed prosthesis on both its upper and lower beak.

The Artis Zoo in Amsterdam said the hornbill had an injury leaving both the upper and lower portions of its beak damaged.

"A bird that loses part of its beak loses much more than just a piece of its appearance," the zoo said on social media. "For the southern hornbill in Artis, it meant that he could not take less care of himself and could pick up more difficult food from the ground."

The hornbill underwent a procedure in partnership with Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UMC Utrecht and Amnovis to outfit both its upper and lower beak with prosthetics.

"There are previous cases of birds with one beak prosthesis, but as far as is known from the scientific literature, this is the first time worldwide that a bird gets both an upper and lower beak prosthesis," the zoo said.

Officials said the bird adjusted to its new beak quickly and was seen using it in a way typical of the species on the same day as the surgical procedure.