Strange Specimen Found at Airport
Recently, a canine unit found a very odd and strange object in someone’s luggage. In a bag, there were four mummified monkeys. These dehydrated bodies were found at customs in Boston International Airport on Thursday. Evidently, the bodies of the monkeys were marked to be destroyed immediately which was requested by the CDCP. According to them, the material had to either be sent back to where it came from or ultimately destroyed.
Raw wild meant from certain animals and certain locations around the world, are called “bushmeat.” This means that this type of meat is not allowed in the U.S. It is illegal to bring this type of meat into the United States and can be fined for up to $250,000.
At first, airport security thought this weird looking specimen was just dried up fish. However, that could not be further from the truth. The mummified monkeys were confiscated from the person who brought them on the plane. However, the person responsible received no penalty for the incident. The monkeys came from central Africa. The package was roughly eight to nine pounds in weight. The person responsible has not been identified, yet.
Thankfully Caught On Time
It is a relief that this package was caught before it touched US land. It is important for these things to be taken seriously, this strict law is in place to keep people safe. Having mummified monkeys from another country in the United States is extremely risky.
“The potential dangers posed by bringing bushmeat into the United States are real,” stated Julio Cararvia, Boston area port director. He states that bushmeat can carry germs and diseases in which entering the country could be fatal. Illnesses include none other than Ebola, and it is crucial for this virus to not enter the United States.
Altogether, the monkeys are safely gone and will not threaten the lives of anyone involved. It is important for people to always make research before bringing stuff from their country into another one. Additionally, this situation was safely handled and no one was harmed.
Written by Erika Cano
Sources:
NPR: Mummified monkey remains were found in luggage at Boston’s airport
The Guardian: Airport K9 sniffs out mummified monkeys at Boston airport
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Patricia Piolon Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset image Courtesy of Tony Hisgett Flickr Page – Creative Commons License