A Pennsylvania man was caught with a turtle in his pants at Newark International Airport.
The discovery occurred March 7 after the man triggered the body scanner while being screened by TSA. After receiving a pat down, the man was asked if he was concealing something under his clothes near his groin. He then reached into his pants and removed a live turtle wrapped in a small towel.
He told a TSA officer it was a red-ear slider turtle — an invasive species native to the Mississippi River area. It’s a popular pet but owners often release them into the wild, according to the National Invasive Species Information Center. They are not an endangered species.
Port Authority Police said different wildlife agencies were alerted to the turtle, which did not appear to be harmed. The man missed his flight and was escorted away by law enforcement, but it’s unclear if he’s facing any charges.
“We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, in their shoes and in their luggage, however I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.