Penguins given rubber flip-flops to stop fatal foot infections while recovering in captivity Isaac Crowson Dec 14 2020, 19:51 ET SIX penguins have got a pick-me-up of rubber flip-flops to stop fatal foot infections while recovering in captivity. The birds, found stranded on beaches along Brazil’s southern coast, have the shoes strapped on with Velcro. 4 4 They are fitted with the custom-designed footwear by vetsCredit: UFPR/FocusOn News Conservation biologist Camila Domit said: “Since starting this experiment with the selected penguins we are already seeing positive results. “They wear the slippers all the time so as not to come into contact with different types of surfaces that their feet are not used to.