14 toucans rescued at the US-Mexico border: their nightmare ends yet they are condemned to captivity

©Jorge C via Unsplash

In 2025, 14 keel-billed toucans were discovered hidden inside the dashboard of a vehicle at the Otay Mesa border crossing in California.

The animals had been transported under extreme conditions: sedated, immobilized and deprived of all living space. The seizure was carried out by US Fish and Wildlife Service agents, who immediately transferred the birds to the Bronx Zoo for emergency care.

Critical conditions on arrival at the zoo

When the toucans arrived at the Bronx Zoo on July 31, 2025, their clinical condition was a cause for serious concern. The 14 individuals were suffering from severe malnutrition, intense stress and metabolic disorders. Some also showed physical injuries related to the transport conditions. To deal with the emergency, the zoo set up a coordinated response between the ornithology and animal health departments, with intensive care and species-specific protocols.

Months of rehabilitation and gradual recovery

The road to recovery was long and complex. Veterinary teams worked tirelessly to stabilize the animals and gradually return them to a state of health compatible with survival. According to Chuck Cerbini, Curator of Ornithology at the Bronx Zoo, this result was only possible thanks to the constant dedication of the specialized teams. After months of treatment, all the toucans showed significant improvements, to the point where they could be transferred or integrated into structured programs.

Where are the 14 toucans today?

Today, the situation is stabilized and the 14 toucans have taken different paths within a coordinated conservation system. Ten individuals have been transferred to establishments accredited by theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). education, breeding and conservation programs. Unfortunately, given their state of health and clinical history, reintroduction into the wild is not an option.

The remaining toucans at the Bronx Zoo

The 4 remaining toucans are still at the Bronx Zoo, condemned, alas, to a life in captivity. Two of them, both males, can be seen by the public in the "World of Birds" area, while the other two, who also had leg fractures due to malnutrition, are housed in an area not accessible to the public. The latter are destined to form a future breeding pair. A journey begun in 2025 that has given them a new mission: to contribute to the conservation and understanding of the species.

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor : Julie Morgan - The Press Junction/Picture : Jorge C via Unsplash)