NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Fourteen baby toucans were rehabilitated by the Bronx Zoo after being confiscated at the U.S.-Mexico border last year during an attempted instance of wildlife trafficking, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Ten male and four female keel-billed toucans were found hidden in a vehicle dashboard at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California. The juvenile birds, aged 3 to 4 months, had been sedated, bound and were in extremely poor condition.
All 14 birds showed signs of malnutrition, severe stress, and metabolic issues upon arrival at the Bronx Zoo on July 31, 2025, wildlife officials said.
The toucans received specialized care and were rehabilitated over several months, but birds subjected to these conditions cannot be returned to the wild for a variety of reasons.
Ten of the toucans were transferred to Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institutions upon recovery to contribute to conservation breeding and education programs.
Four rehabilitated toucans will remain at the Bronx Zoo; two in the World of Birds exhibit, and two as a future off-exhibit breeding pair.
“This highlights the ongoing problem of illegal trade in live wildlife for the global pet trade, which harms species’ populations in the wild, undermines the rule of law, and harms the conservation programs of countries where the species are native,” said Susan Lieberman, WCS vice president of international policy. “Effectively housing and caring for seized animals such as these toucans is vital and it is also critical to prevent the crime in the first place and curb demand for these amazing animals.”
Keel-billed toucans are listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
