Toucan seen flying around Las Vegas for months is rescued
#toucan rescue #Las Vegas bird #exotic avian #desert survival #SouthWest Exotic Avian Rescue #Sam the toucan #bird flu quarantine
📌 Key Takeaways
- Toucan Sam rescued after surviving in Las Vegas desert since November
- Bird voluntarily flew into homeowner's garage after months of free living
- Veterinary care revealed dehydration and beak damage but stable condition
- Bird will be quarantined 30-45 days to check for bird flu before integration
📖 Full Retelling
A toucan named Sam that has been flying around Las Vegas since November was rescued on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, after months of concern from bird experts about its ability to survive in the desert environment. The SouthWest Exotic Avian Rescue group announced the successful capture of the exotic bird, which had captivated the Las Vegas community while adapting to an urban desert habitat far from its natural rainforest home. Skye Marsh, the organization's president and co-founder, expressed relief after the bird, which had been surviving on whatever food it could find in the harsh climate, was safely contained when it voluntarily flew into a homeowner's garage. The rescue came after months of careful planning by the group, which had been providing healthier toucan food around a cage in an attempt to lure the bird in. After his capture, Sam was taken to a local veterinarian where he received fluids and bloodwork, revealing signs of dehydration and a chipped beak but otherwise stable condition. Veterinarians determined that the bird likely survived on figs and pomegranates from trees after initially escaping, and later ate citrus which can be harmful to toucans. The toucan's original owners, who had posted about the bird's escape from its cage in November, have not yet contacted the rescue group. Sam will remain in quarantine at a staff member's house for 30 to 45 days to ensure he does not have bird flu before he can be fully integrated with other birds at the rescue.
🏷️ Themes
Animal Rescue, Wildlife Survival, Exotic Pets
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Original Source
U.S. Toucan seen flying around Las Vegas is rescued after surviving in desert for months Updated on: February 26, 2026 / 6:37 AM EST / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google A toucan that has been seen flying around Las Vegas for months has been saved, a bird rescue group said Wednesday. "We've all just been so worried about him," said Skye Marsh, the president and co-founder of the SouthWest Exotic Avian Rescue . "It's a relief." "Sam is found!" the group wrote on social media on Wednesday. Sam the toucan has been living in Las Vegas since November, much to the concern of bird experts and enthusiasts who were worried about the exotic bird's health and his ability to survive long-term in a city with drastic weather changes. " little stinker decided it was time for help, and he flew into someone's garage," Marsh told The Associated Press. The homeowners knew who the toucan was and shut the garage so he couldn't escape. Sam has captivated the Las Vegas community after surviving in the desert for months. After the rescue group caught him, staff took him to a local veterinarian. There are some signs of "wear and tear," such as dehydrated skin and a chip off his beak, but he seems to be OK, Marsh said. The veterinarian gave him fluids and took bloodwork. Sam had been eating better food since the rescue group put out healthier toucan food around a cage to try to rescue him. Marsh said the better food improved his health, as his poop was looking healthier leading up to his rescue. Sam's owners, who had posted on social media about the bird's escape from its cage in November, has not been in contact with the rescue group. The toucan will be in quarantine at a staff member's house for 30 to 45 days to make sure he does not have bird flu, which spreads to other birds at the rescue, Marsh said. According to the San Diego Zoo , toucans typically spend their lives high in the rainforest canopies of Central and South America. They are primarily frugivores but are also known to eat insects...
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