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Calling all toucans. Toby a five year old sulpher breasted toucan got out of his cage at
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Calling all toucans. Toby a five year old sulpher breasted toucan got out of his cage at
Calling all toucans. Toby a five year old sulpher breasted toucan got out of his cage at Chessington Zoo, after a section had been cut away from the wire mesh of his cage. He deserted his wife - also a sulpher breasted toucan called Philippa.
Toby seemed to enjoy his freedom and flew from tree to tree missing the big top at the zoo. All the time zoo staff were in hot pursuit carrying around mate Philippa in a cage as a decoy, a small net and ladder. It was suggested that Jane Reddin who escorts parties around the zoo, should climb up the tree because she is very friendly with all the birds and animals, but to no avail, keepers climbed the trees but always they got so near and Toby took off. At last he settled on a telegraph pole which also houses the zoos tannoy system. Senior keeper Mike Westen with the aid of a ladder climbed up the telegraph pole, but when he got so near to Toby, off he flew.
Toby was last seen flying in a westerly direction outside the zoo. The visitors enjoy seeing a real live toucan free but soon gave up the chase. 17th April 1968
George Greenwell
Daily Herald
Mirrorpix
Chessington
Greater London
England
Y3768
Media ID 21750818
© Mirrorpix
Birds Communications Nature Outer Boroughs Outer London Sound Surrey Telegraph Pole Loud Speaker Toucan
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Freedom in Flight: Toby the Adventurous Toucan Takes Chessington Zoo by Storm! In this print captured by George Greenwell, we witness the daring escape of Toby, a spirited five-year-old sulphur-breasted toucan from his enclosure at Chessington Zoo. With a section of wire mesh cut away, Toby seized his opportunity and left behind his beloved wife Philippa. As zoo staff scrambled to recapture their feathered friend, Toby reveled in his newfound freedom. From tree to tree he soared, skillfully evading capture and even managing to avoid colliding with the zoo's grand big top. Determined keepers pursued him tirelessly, armed with decoy cages containing Philippa and nimble nets. Despite their best efforts, including enlisting the help of Jane Reddin - renowned for her rapport with animals - Toby remained elusive. Keeper Mike Westen bravely scaled a telegraph pole where our mischievous toucan had perched momentarily but was thwarted once again as Toby took flight. The last sighting placed Toby heading westward beyond the confines of the zoo grounds. Visitors delighted in witnessing this real-life toucan adventure unfold before their eyes but eventually conceded defeat in capturing him. This remarkable photograph transports us back to April 17th, 1968 when an audacious avian named Toby briefly escaped captivity and embraced life on the wing.
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