Turtles Cause Delays at JFK

There were a series of delays at a New York City airport Friday, but the issues didn't stem from bad weather or technical issues with the planes.

The problem was turtles crossing a runway.

According to The Associated Press, a group of about 40 diamondback terrapins were spotted crawling out of Jamaica Bay next to John F. Kennedy International Airport and scurrying across a runway at around 4:45 p.m. local time.

[CALLOUT]

Turtle migration slows things down at JFK https://t.co/iKsAp0wN4Mpic.twitter.com/pEChCAjbi4

- Rachel Riederer (@readerer) July 8, 2017

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokeswoman Cheryl Albiez said that the turtles forced airport officials to delays several flights while wildlife specialists collected the animals and returned them to the water.

[READMORE] READ MORE: Errant Goat Causes Flight To Delay Landing[/READMORE]

Diamondback terrapins typically migrate from June to mid-July, and it's common for Port Authority wildlife specialists to be called to airports in the area and remove animals impeding air traffic. The animals are then released into safer areas.

Stories like this always remind me just how much I like turtles.

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