Hamster Escape Grounds TAP Air Portugal Plane

A TAP Air Portugal flight from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada was grounded for five days after 132 hamsters escaped from their cages in the cargo hold, causing a significant disruption. The rodents, part of a delivery for a pet shop along with ferrets and birds, were discovered roaming the aircraft, leading to concerns about potential damage to electrical wiring. Despite an initial quick capture of some hamsters, it took until Sunday to locate the last 16, after which the plane returned to Lisbon for a thorough inspection. This incident reportedly occurred because the transport boxes previously didn't meet compliance standards, but were accepted on this flight. TAP Air Portugal hasn't officially commented on the event, though the situation has highlighted the risks of transporting animals in non-compliant containers. Images and videos of the hamsters being extracted from the plane have circulated, depicting workers using gloves to protect themselves from the rodents' sharp teeth.