Transportation Security Administration officers made a shock discovery at Newark Airport passenger screening – a live turtle stuffed down a man’s pants.
The body scanner detected a concealed item in the Pennsylvania man’s pants.
When confronted, the traveler ‘pulled out a live turtle.’
It was a five-inch-long red-ear slider turtle wrapped in a towel.
Police took possession of the reptile who later handed it over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers.
The man was initially detained by police and not permitted to travel.
It is unclear if he will face wildlife smuggling charges.
“We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, 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,” Thomas Carter, the TSA’s federal security director for New Jersey, said.
“As best as we could tell, the turtle was not harmed by the man’s actions.”
