Fourteen toucans pulled from a car dashboard at the US-Mexico border are now recovering after months of care, with 10 sent to accredited zoos to join conservation breeding and education programs.
Agents from the US Fish and Wildlife Service took ownership of the keel-billed toucans after they were seized at the Otay Mesa port of entry in California. Members of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo helped care for the birds until a decision was made on their future.
The birds had been sedated, bound to restrict movement and noise, and hidden in the dashboard of a vehicle. Upon rescue, they were in extremely poor condition.
When they arrived at the Bronx Zoo on July 31, 2025, all 14 toucans showed signs of malnutrition, severe stress and metabolic issues. The Bronx Zoo’s Ornithology and Zoological Health departments then treated and rehabilitated them over several months.
“Thanks to the dedication of our animal care and veterinary teams, we were able to stabilize and rehabilitate them,” said Chuck Cerbini, Curator of Ornithology at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo.
Ten of the toucans have now been transferred to Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited institutions. The Bronx Zoo said birds subjected to these conditions cannot be returned to the wild for multiple reasons.
Four of the rehabilitated toucans will remain at the Bronx Zoo, including two that recovered from fractured legs caused by the effects of malnutrition. Two of the birds, both males, are on display in the World of Birds. The other two are off-exhibit and are a future breeding pair.
Keel-billed toucans, or Ramphastos sulfuratus, are protected by the Wild Bird Conservation Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The species is listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning its trade is strictly regulated.
The birds are native to tropical forests of Mexico, Central America and parts of South America. The IUCN lists the species as Near-Threatened, citing factors including capture for the pet trade and deforestation.
In addition to the rehabilitation work, WCS said it is working across the toucan’s range to protect nature strongholds in Mexico, Central America and South America, and to stop wildlife poaching at the source.
“The work of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo to rehabilitate these toucans is a testament to the skill and dedication of their veterinary and animal care teams,” said Sara Walker, Senior Advisor on Wildlife Trafficking at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Wildlife Confiscations Network supports law enforcement at the point of confiscation, helps guide animals through recovery, and coordinates placement across vetted facilities when they cannot be returned to the wild. Over the past three years, the Network has helped place more than 4,000 animals.
“While not every case has a happy outcome like this, we’re thrilled to see these toucans healthy and now placed across seven AZA-accredited institutions, reflecting the coordination across a broader network of partners.”
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