BROWNSVILLE, TX – U.S. Border Patrol announced Monday that they seized an exotic bird while taking a group of people illegally smuggled across the board into custody.
According to a press release by Customs and Border Protection, Fort Brown agents responded to a possible incursion along the U.S. riverbank on Saturday.
Recommended Videos
“As agents arrived to the location, they discovered evidence of several of people who entered the country illegally,” CBP said in a statement. “Agents tracked the group and apprehended seven illegal aliens from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. Additionally, agents noticed a plastic bag carried by one of the aliens with a live bird inside.”
After agents inspected the bag they determined the bird to be a toucan. According to CBP the bird was turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Service after it was evaluated by a veterinarian.
CBP officials stated that while it is uncommon for exotic animals to be discovered in human smuggling attempts, agents rescued a tiger cub stuffed in a duffel bag near Brownsville two years ago.
Related: CBP: Agents at World Trade Bridge in Laredo seize over $11 million in narcotics