It's a dream for many Canadians, trying to save up enough money for a down payment on their very first home. That was also the dream for the Esmeralda family, a family of five with two dogs who currently live in a Scarborough apartment building.
Elderly penguins receive 'world first' custom lenses in successful cataract surgery
Three elderly king penguins have been fitted with custom-made eye lenses during surgery to remove cataracts in what is believed to be a world first procedure to improve their sight, according to a Singapore zoo.
In a statement Tuesday, vets with the Mandai Wildlife Group said the birds were among six elderly penguins to undergo cataract surgery two months ago and have since made a full recovery.
They include three king penguins age 20 and older, and three Humboldt penguins, ages 7 to 13, which live in Singapore's Jurong Bird Park.
Cataracts, which causes cloudy areas in the eye that hinder sight, is a common age-related condition in both people and animals.
"We noticed the cloudiness in their (eyes) and moving about like they were having difficulty seeing things in front of them," said veterinarian Ellen Rasidi, explaining the decision to remove the cataracts.
The king penguins received custom-made intraocular lens implants, said Gladys Boo, a veterinary ophthalmologist who took part in the surgeries, which she said marked "a milestone in veterinary medicine."
The lenses were custom-made in Germany with precise measurements to fit each penguin's eye -- a process that took two months, Boo said.
"As a larger species, the king penguins have eyes large and stable enough to hold the custom lenses in place so we decided to pursue this world-first procedure to further improve their vision above removing the cataract," she said.
Photos taken behind the scenes showed the delicate procedure, which Boo said was especially tricky for penguins due to their unique characteristics, such as a third eyelid that protects their eyes underwater but which tends to close under surgery.
Post-surgery, all six penguins had to remain out of the water and zookeepers administered eye drops twice daily.
King penguins are the second-largest species of penguin and are found in the Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic.
While not endangered, they are protected under wildlife laws. They can weigh up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) and reach up to 1 meter (39 inches) tall and can live up to 30 years in captivity.
Zookeepers and vets said they observed "an increase in responsiveness and activity levels" in the penguins following the surgery.
"It is nice to see them more active, indicating their improved vision," said Rasidi, the vet. "The king penguins are adapting well to the new lenses as well."
Singapore's world renowned Jurong Bird Park housed some 3,500 birds including parrots, flamingos and eagles before it shuttered its doors last August to prepare for a move to new premises, where it will join the city's zoo and night safari and a new luxury resort to form an eco-tourism hub.
The park has been involved in several high profile rescues and rehabilitation efforts over the years -- including treating a hornbill with cancer by fitting it with a 3D-printed prosthetic beak.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Heists, arson and a baseball bat brawl: the violent side of clothing donation bins
In part three of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look into allegations that the industry is rife with organized crime activity.
This radioactive gas is a leading cause of lung cancer. Here's how to check if it's in your home
Radon is a radioactive gas found in nearly every Canadian home. A new research study is putting a renewed spotlight on the invisible, odourless element that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada.
Donations are quickly pouring in for the family of a young woman who was found dead inside a Walmart in Halifax last weekend.
How many Canadians are without a doctor? Just-released report outlines health-care situation
A new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information says 83 per cent of adults in this country have a regular primary-care provider, but that still leaves 5.4 million adults without one.
A haunted house in the Ontario Town of Innisfil is causing a real scare for some people a week before Halloween.
Used car market expecting supply crunch as fewer off-lease cars return
Already low on inventory, the used car market is facing an additional supply crunch as fewer off-lease vehicles return to dealership lots 鈥 and that's contributing to higher prices.
BREAKING
Four people are dead and another is in hospital following a fiery crash in downtown Toronto that happened overnight on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Sri Lanka says 3 locals were arrested over a possible attack on Israel tourists
Sri Lanka police have arrested three persons in connection with a possible attack on Israeli travellers in the Indian ocean island, a government minister said on Thursday, a day after the authorities stepped up the security across the country, with the United States warning of an attack targeting a popular tourist destination.
Local Spotlight
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.
A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.
Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.
Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.
The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that 鈥 and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.