More than 130 hamsters escaped in the cargo hold of a TAP A321neo

A TAP airplane has been grounded at Ponta Delgada Airport in the Azores for four days after 132 hamsters broke free from their transport boxes during a flight from Lisbon. The incident posed safety concerns, particularly because hamsters can chew through electrical cables. Airport personnel are actively trying to recapture the animals, with reports indicating that as of Saturday, 16 hamsters were still roaming loose inside the aircraft. The flight originally carried passengers, luggage, and a shipment of various small pets, including hamsters and ferrets, but issues arose due to damaged transport boxes. Although the transport boxes did not meet safety standards for one flight, they were allowed on this later flight, raising questions about regulatory adherence in animal transportation. The plane was finally cleared to return to Lisbon following the successful recapture of the hamsters. This situation highlights the critical importance of strict adherence to transport regulations in the shipping of live animals. Ensuring that carriers comply with safety standards not only protects the animals being transported but also mitigates risks to aircraft infrastructure and passenger safety. It suggests a need for more stringent oversight in the treatment of live cargo to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, proper training for personnel involved in the handling and transport of animals can help ensure that such unfortunate occurrences are avoided.