Passengers flying out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport were in for a surprise when a furry creature fell from the ceiling near the Spirit Airlines gate.
According to CNN reports and USA TodayA raccoon caused chaos at LaGuardia on Monday, November 4, around 8 a.m. when it fell through a crack in the ceiling, hanging from a wire, before falling to the terminal floor.
In a video shared on social media by passenger Rowan Danaher and provided to Storyful by the passenger, passengers scream and call out, “Oh my God!” as the animal falls from the wire, hitting what appears to be a coffin behind the partition on its way down.
“I guess they let anyone fly the Spirit,” Danaher joked in the post’s caption.
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The Marine Air Terminal, where Spirit Airlines is based at LaGuardia, is the oldest part of the NYC airport and has reported structural problems in the past, according to local outlet Gothamist.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed to CNN that there were no reports of injuries in connection with the incident. There have been no other sightings of raccoons at the terminal since November 4th.
“The raccoon was safely located and released, with no further sightings [reported]”, the Port Authority told CNN.
“To ensure safety, airport staff are working closely with a professional wildlife control company to monitor the area, identify potential entry points and implement necessary precautions,” the port authority added. “Inspections and further efforts are underway to prevent further incidents.”
A raccoon at LaGuardia Airport in New York.
Rowan Danaher via Storyful
Spirit Airlines also commented on the viral incident, telling CNN: “To ensure a positive experience for our LGA guests, we have immediately notified the facilities team and are handling the issue with a professional wildlife control company.”
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According to the New York City Department of Health, raccoons live in all five boroughs of New York City and can transmit infectious diseases, such as rabies and the distemper virus. The city advises anyone who experiences an unwanted encounter with a raccoon to stay away and “never attempt to trap or trap a raccoon yourself.”
If a raccoon enters an unwanted enclosure, the health department recommends making the environment uncomfortable for the animal by turning on flashing lights or playing loud music.
“If these methods do not work, you may need to find and hire a professionally licensed nuisance wildlife control operator,” the city notes.
Additionally, the health department states that wild animals with rabies and canine distemper often appear sick or injured, may appear lethargic, behave aggressively, or may act unusually friendly. Anyone bitten by a raccoon is advised to wash the bite area with soap and water, go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, and call 311 to report it.
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Source: HIS Education