In 2025, 14 keel-billed (or keel-billed) toucans were discovered hiding inside the dashboard of a vehicle at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, California. The animals had been transported in extreme conditions: sedated, immobilized and deprived of any living space. The seizure occurred thanks to agents of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, who immediately transferred the specimens to the Bronx Zoo for urgent care.
Critical conditions upon arrival at the zoo
On July 31, 2025, when the toucans arrived at the Bronx Zoo, the clinical picture immediately appeared serious. All 14 specimens had severe malnutrition, severe stress and metabolic disorders. Some also had physical injuries related to transportation conditions. To deal with the emergency, the zoo activated a coordinated intervention between the Ornithology and Zoological Health departments, with intensive care and species-specific protocols.
Months of rehabilitation and progressive recovery
The recovery journey was long and complex. Veterinary teams worked to stabilize the animals and gradually return them to conditions compatible with survival. According to Chuck Cerbini, curator of ornithology at the Bronx Zoo, the result was 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 has stabilized and the 14 toucans have taken different paths within a coordinated conservation system. 10 specimens were transferred to institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), where they participate in education, breeding and conservation programs for the species. For reasons related to the state of health and clinical history, reintroduction into the wild is unfortunately not possible.
The remaining toucans at the Bronx Zoo
The remaining 4 toucans are still at the Bronx Zoo, sadly destined for a life in captivity. Two of them, both males, can be visited in the World of Birds sector, while the other two, who also had leg fractures due to malnutrition, are housed in an unexposed area. The latter are destined to become a future breeding pair. A path that began in 2025 which today translates into a new function: contributing to the conservation and knowledge of the species.
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