Bronx, NY, April 30, 2026, — The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo has successfully rehabilitated fourteen trafficked juvenile keel-billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus) following their confiscation by federal authorities. 

WCS’s Bronx Zoo staff assisted the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) with the rescue of these birds; 10 males and four females, all three- to four months old.

The toucans had originally been confiscated at the United States-Mexico border, at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California, after authorities discovered them hidden in the dashboard of a vehicle.

The birds had been sedated, bound to restrict movement and noise, and were in extremely poor condition upon rescue. Keel-billed toucans are protected by the Wild Bird Conservation Act, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as Appendix II species. These birds are unfortunately in demand in the global pet trade.

Upon arrival at the Bronx Zoo on July 31, 2025, all fourteen toucans showed signs of malnutrition, severe stress, and metabolic issues. Through a coordinated effort between the Bronx Zoo’s Ornithology and Zoological Health Departments, the birds received specialized care and rehabilitation over several months.

“These toucans arrived in a severely compromised state after enduring stressful and inhumane conditions during illegal transport,” said Chuck Cerbini, Curator of Ornithology at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. “Thanks to the dedication of our animal care and veterinary teams, we were able to stabilize and rehabilitate them. This case highlights both the harm and cruelty of wildlife trafficking and the critical role accredited zoos play in giving rescued wildlife a second chance while supporting long-term conservation efforts.”

Following their recovery, the Bronx Zoo collaborated with an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® program to determine appropriate long-term placements. Ten of the toucans were transferred to AZA accredited institutions where they will now contribute to conservation breeding and education programs. For multiple reasons, it is not possible to return birds that have been subject to these conditions to the wild.

Four of the rehabilitated toucans, two of which have recovered from fractured legs due to the effects of malnutrition, will remain at the Bronx Zoo. Two of these birds, both males, can be visited in the World of Birds. The other two are off-exhibit and are a future breeding pair.

Said Craig Piper, Interim Director of the Bronx Zoo and Executive Vice President of WCS Zoos and Aquarium: “This rescue underscores the ongoing threat of wildlife trafficking and the importance of partnerships among federal agencies, accredited zoos, and conservation organizations in protecting vulnerable species.” 

Said Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President, International Policy, “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. 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, native to tropical forests of Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, are listed by IUCN as Near Threatened. They are threatened by multiple factors, including capture for the pet trade and deforestation. The species is listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning its trade is strictly regulated.

In addition to these rehabilitation efforts, WCS 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.

Said Sara Walker, Senior Advisor on Wildlife Trafficking at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums: “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. 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.”

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act (H.R. 3835) is bipartisan legislation that would ensure confiscated wildlife are placed with qualified animal care facilities, while allowing state and federal officers to focus on holding traffickers accountable.

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The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo
The WCS Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest in Bronx, NY, opened on Nov. 8, 1899. It is world-renowned for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, education, science and conservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) which manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. Our curators and animal care staff work to save, propagate, and sustain populations of threatened and endangered species. We have educated and inspired more than 400 million visitors at our zoos and aquarium since our opening and host approximately 4 million guests at our parks each year – including about a half-million students annually. The Bronx Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough of the Bronx, providing opportunity and helping to transform lives in one of the most under-served communities in the nation. The Bronx Zoo is the subject of THE ZOO, a docu-series aired world-wide on Animal Planet. Members of the media should contact mdixon@wcs.org (+1 (347) 840-1242) for more information or with questions.