A Florida woman was caught hiding two turtles in her bra while passing through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at the Miami International Airport, the TSA said Thursday.
The woman, who was not identified, had the turtles wrapped in what appeared to be gauze and plastic wrap, according to photos posted on social media by the agency. The TSA did not identify the breed of turtles. One turtle died, the agency said. The surviving reptile was turned over to the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Friends, please – and we cannot emphasize this enough – stop hiding animals in weird places on your body and then trying to sneak them through airport security,” the TSA said on social media.
Two turtles seized at a TSA checkpoint at the Miami International Airport. / Credit: Transportation Security Administration
The TSA allows travelers to bring pets, including turtles, through security checkpoints. The animals must be removed from any carriers and carried through the checkpoint, the agency says on its website. The carrying case must be X-rayed as well. Airlines may have their own pet policies.
“Notice we said ‘carried’ and not ‘hidden underneath your clothing,'” the TSA remarked.
Another traveler attempted to smuggle an invasive turtle through TSA security at Newark Liberty International Airport in March, CBS News previously reported. The man had hidden the reptile in the front of his pants. The reptile was not harmed, officials said.
In 2024, the agency stopped a man from bringing a bag of snakes aboard a plane, and in 2023, Miami airport officials confiscated a bag of smuggled Amazon parrot eggs and live birds after hearing chirping coming from a duffel bag. The man carrying the bag had just arrived from Nicaragua and had a layover in Miami before traveling to Taiwan. He pleaded guilty to charges of smuggling birds.
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Erin Punton spotted the bird outside a pub on the way back from a night out with friends and took it home while intoxicated, before finding out from a vet it was infected (Picture: Jam Press)The large bird appeared unbothered – or resigned – by the sudden twist of events as it was picked up from the road (Picture: Jam Press)
‘He actually wants to stop in my room and everything but I’ve got nowhere for him.’
The giant seagull appeared unfazed by the sudden attention as it was carried around like royalty.
She woke up the next morning with no recollection of the night before and was shocked to find the bird flapping about in her living room.
After taking the seagull to the vet, she ‘felt sick’ when they told her it had bird flu.
She promptly bleached her entire home after finding out the bird was infected.
What is bird flu?
Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds.
It can affect humans in rare cases, by being transmitted through touching infected birds, bedding and preparing or eating sick poultry.
Avian flu symptoms in humans include a very high temperature or feeling hot or shivery, aching muscles and headaches.
The last case of confirmed bird flu was confirmed in captive birds at a premises near Tow Law, Bishop Auckland in County Durham.
Erin said: ‘I saw the bird outside Wetherspoons and managed to pick him up without even a thought.
Exposing the Big Game 