JFK Turtles: Flights delays at New York airport due to mating turtles

Add to My Stories Share Late arrivals, technical faults and even a lack of crew are all regularly offered as a reason for airport delays.
But migrating turtles taking over the runway is certainly a new excuse.Amused travellers at New York's JFK Airport were yesterday told a runway had been closed for 15 minutes after turtles were spotted crossing the tarmac on their way to lay eggs.

Turtle alert: The reptiles caused a stir when they tried to cross a runway at JFKAbout 150 diamondback terrapin turtles - mainly female - tramped across Runway 4 to the 185-acre Jamaica Bay wildlife reserve next door where their eggs will be fertilised by their male partners.The first turtle was spotted at 6.45am when air traffic control contacted an American Airlines flight bound for the Dominican Republic with the question: 'There's a report of a turtle on the runway. Do you want to have it removed first?'

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Shortly after both Port Authority staff and the US Department of Agriculture were dispatched to help the creatures on their way.The workers hurried to move the turtles between take-offs and landings, causing delays to numerous flights.Holidaymakers and airlines took to Twitter to comment on the unusual cause of their travel woes and post witty comments and a Twitter account was even created for the turtles themselves.

Taking to Twitter: Jet Blue posts its excuse for flight delaysBy the end of the day, 3,000 people were following the @jfkturtles Twitter profile, where humorous updates were posted on the situatio! n.One tw eet explained why the reptiles avoided airport security: 'We go straight to the runway because it takes 5 hours to get out of our shells for the TSA ...and the shell pat down option is too awkward.'Despite the delays, everybody seemed to be in good spirits, with airline Jet Blue posting: 'Oh @JFKTurtles, we could never stay mad at you ... Glad you made it to your honeymoon spot safe.'Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico said: 'This happens every year. I guess some years there is more turtle activity.'
In July 2009, another runway was shut down when about 80 turtles crawled from the bay to the tarmac.