A prosthesis saves Bambi’s mother from euthanasia
Nini, the deer who played Bambi’s mother on the big screen, was found to have a bone tumour and would have to be euthanised. Thanks to a prosthetic device made out of PVC and carbon, the deer lives on today. A worldwide first for a wild deer!
In the film directed by Michel Fessler released to cinemas in France on October 16, 2024, Nini plays the role of Bambi’s mother. Following a serious disease, this 11-year-old deer weighing in at 180 kilos was saved from euthanasia and is now living a quiet life in the Loiret region in central France. Because of a bone tumour located in the front left limb, Nini had to have an amputation to avoid this condition worsening. Thanks to veterinary surgeon Norin Chai, the deer was fitted with a PVC and carbon prosthesis – a worldwide first for a wild deer.
Initially, Nini walked with a limp because of degenerative arthritis. When several treatments such as laser therapy sessions proved ineffective, an x-ray revealed the presence of a malignant tumour. In this case, exploratory surgery must be performed to remove tissue.
Facing a significant decline in the deer’s illness, the famous vet had to make a decision. For Chai, there were 3 options. The first, and most radical, would be to euthanise the animal. The second would be to perform a “high” amputation. The third and last option would be to attempt a “low” amputation and fit the animal with a prosthetic device. The veterinarian opted for the last option, which had only ever been used on pets and never before performed on a wild animal like a deer.
An innovative collaboration
To create the prosthetic device out of carbon fibre and PVC, Chai and Benjamin, a dental prosthetist based in Chartres, France, used a portable CT unit. They first developed a 3D structure of Nini’s front leg, then produced a precise mould.
The initial prototype turned out to be too tight and the limb swelled during the first trial fitting on 18 July 2024. On 16 August, the second model also proved to have its faults. Nevertheless, the team didn’t stop there. In the end, the third version produced had a better fit and would be adapted to Nini after the final trial on 26 August.
Very quickly, however, a new problem surfaced. Each time that Nini was fitted with the device, sedation was required. Instead of subjecting Nini to such frequent anaesthesia, the team decided to allow the animal to get used to handling and to wearing the prosthesis.
A first for a wild animal
“I recreated each knucklebone separately. Inside, I placed foam so that the stump would absorb shocks. The straps allow the deer more stability,” the veterinarian told the France 3 local news channel, further explaining that this was the first time the technique has been used on a wild animal. Previously, the innovation had only benefited pets like dogs and cats.
But today, all that’s left is for the deer to “find its feet.” Lisa Humblot, manager at the animal actor centre in Sury-aux-Bois said: “at the moment, Nini is still at the stage where it can tell that it has something attached to its leg, but doesn’t yet know what.”
It will take time for Nini to understand that the device is there to help. And now that the deer has retired from a career in the movies, Nini is in luck and has all the time in the world.
Cover photo: Nini, fitted with his PVC/carbon prosthesis © Rendez-vous en Terre Animale
