Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates 14 Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

In July 2025, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents seized fourteen juvenile keel-billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus) hidden in a vehicle dashboard at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, California. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo received the three-to-four-month-old birds on July 31 and began intensive veterinary care.

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

Keel-billed toucans live in tropical forests across Mexico, Central America and parts of South America. The IUCN lists the species as Near Threatened; it is protected by the Wild Bird Conservation Act and CITES Appendix II, yet remains targeted by the pet trade and deforestation.

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

All fourteen birds arrived malnourished, stressed and with metabolic disturbances; two showed fractured legs. After months of care, four remain at the Bronx Zoo—two on exhibit and two as a future breeding pair—while ten were placed at seven AZA-accredited institutions for breeding and education.

WPIX 11

WCS officials emphasized the partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the essential role of accredited zoos in stabilizing trafficked wildlife, and the importance of coordinated placement through the AZA Wildlife Confiscations Network.

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

WCS Vice President Susan Lieberman warned that illegal wildlife trade erodes rule of law, harms native populations and weakens conservation programs in source countries, urging stronger demand-reduction measures alongside care for seized animals.

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

Veterinarians noted the toucans were sedated, bound, severely stressed and malnourished, with metabolic issues and leg fractures in two birds.

WPIX 11

All sources agree on numbers and placements, but the specific AZA facilities receiving the ten toucans and any post-release monitoring data are not disclosed.

WPIX 11

• “These toucans arrived in a severely compromised state after enduring stressful and inhumane conditions during illegal transport,” — Chuck Cerbini, Curator of Ornithology, WCS Bronx Zoo

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

• “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.” — Craig Piper, Interim Director, Bronx Zoo; Executive Vice President, WCS Zoos and Aquariums

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

• “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.” — Susan Lieberman, Vice President, International Policy, WCS

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

• “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.” — Sara Walker, Senior Advisor on Wildlife Trafficking, AZA

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans

The bipartisan Wildlife Confiscations Network Act (H.R. 3835) would require seized wildlife to be placed with qualified facilities and let law-enforcement focus on prosecuting traffickers.

WCS’s Bronx Zoo Rehabilitates Trafficked Keel-Billed Toucans