Wildlife staff even put in extra padding to make the shoes more comfortable. (Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital via SWNS)
By Ed Chatterton
A bird which was hit by a car is being nursed to recovery at an animal hospital with a pair of specially built BOOTS.
The whitethroat was found by a couple lying stunned in the road following the collision in Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics., on Aug. 8.
His was taken to Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital where it was found his feet were curled up and unable to grip due to nerve or ligament damage,
To help its recovery, the tiny sandal-style footwear was made out of cardboard, cotton wool and micropore tape. (Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital via SWNS)
Staff then decided to make him some tiny sandal-style footwear of cardboard, cotton wool and micropore tape.
The bird is said to be making good progress and will be released back into the wild once he has fully recovered.
Amy Blower, an animal care team leader, said: "He was found last Saturday by some people who then called us and brought him in.
The whitethroat escaped any other serious injury in the collision. (Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital via SWNS)
"We have used this technique before with other baby birds — but its usually when they have nutritional deficiencies.
"We put a little bit of cotton wool between the feet and the cardboard to add a bit of cushioning and then use micropore tape to secure them.
"It seems to be doing the trick and he is making a good recovery.
The bird with it's new footwear to help its recovery. (Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital via SWNS)
"Other than the issue with his feet he was uninjured so we'll release him hopefully in a few days when he is better..
"It's unusual for us to get whitethroats as they are only around in the summer and migrate from Africa.
"They are also amber listed so it's definitely a positive to get this one back into the wild where he belongs."