The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a new alert for travelers after two people tried to transport live turtles through U.S. airports. One in Miami. Another in Newark. And in both cases, the attempt was as surreal as it was concerning. And it must be that the TSA hasn’t seen enough weird things already, but this really goes too far.

Turtles hidden in a bra.

Yes, as surreal as it sounds, we can imagine the TSA agents’ faces when they had to ask a woman to take out the two turtles she had hidden in her bra. One of them wrapped in medical tape and the other in plastic. Did she really think no one was going to notice?

The body scanner detected something strange in the chest area (how could it not), and the agents, upon checking, discovered the situation.

The TSA followed protocol and notified the Miami-Dade sheriff, Border Patrol, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Department. The turtles were recovered safe and sound, and there were no injuries to either the animals or the passenger.

But of course, the TSA didn’t miss the chance to speak out with their usual sarcasm on social media. On their X account they posted: “Once again: please stop hiding animals in strange body parts before going through security”.

Second attempt

A few weeks earlier, in March, a nearly identical case happened at Newark Airport (New Jersey). This time, a man from Pennsylvania tried to get through security with a five-inch turtle hidden in his crotch, inside a blue towel. Just imagine the looks he must have gotten… The scanner did its job again, the alarm went off, and after a routine pat-down, the agents found the animal.

The guy identified himself as a resident of East Stroudsburg, voluntarily handed over the turtle and was escorted out of the airport. He wasn’t allowed to fly, of course. The animal ended up in the hands of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Thomas Carter, TSA security director in New Jersey, summed it up like this: “We’ve seen everything: knives, guns… but this is the first time someone has tried to smuggle a live turtle in their pants.”

TSA doesn’t just look for explosives

Although most of us associate TSA with air safety, their job also includes protecting wildlife. Putting live animals in places where they don’t belong breaks several laws, both federal and state, especially those related to animal welfare.

And yes, TSA is ready for these situations. Their scanners don’t just detect weapons or suspicious liquids, but also any strange shape on the body.

What happens if you try to smuggle an animal illegally?

Legal consequences, of course. This isn’t a game. It’s illegal to try to smuggle animals onto a flight without the proper permits. The fines can be significant, and depending on the case, you could even face criminal charges for trafficking exotic species. You probably don’t want that, right?

Before flying with animals, you need to check the airline’s rules and legal requirements. In many cases, specific documentation is needed. And if the animal is protected, like some turtle species, things get even more complicated.

And how do they detect all this?

Technology makes it possible. Body scanners can reveal strange shapes or suspicious bulges. And even if you don’t know exactly what someone is carrying, if something looks off, the agents are going to check it personally.

In both these cases, the scanners were key to detecting the turtles. They didn’t fail.

It’s sad to have to say it, but it looks like it needs repeating: don’t smuggle animals. TSA has reminded everyone that hiding animals in clothing or luggage is not only illegal, but also dangerous!