A slow-moving stampede of amorous turtles has disrupted flights at one of America’s biggest airports. The turtles began their passage across John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York early on Wednesday morning, oblivious to the deadly obstacles in their way as they tramped towards their breeding grounds.
What began as a mere trickle of shelled invaders became a torrent of diamondback terrapins. By 9.30am a runway had been shut down and the perils facing the airport interlopers were clear from the chatter of pilots and air traffic controllers.
“Be advised 30 feet into the take-off roll, left side of the centerline, there’s another turtle,” announced the pilot of American Airlines Flight 1009, a Boeing 767 that had just taken off for the Dominican Republic.
“There’s another one on the runway?” asked the controller.
“Uh, well he was there,” the pilot said as the plane lifted into the air.
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The incursion was first reported on Twitter by JetBlue Airlines.
“Running over turtles is not healthy for them nor is it good for our tires,” it explained when quizzed about flight delays.
By lunchtime the turtles had their own Twitter account, and 3,000 followers.
Workers were dispatched to pluck about 150 turtles from the tarmac, and ferry them to their breeding grounds. “We ceded to Mother Nature,’’ said the Port Authority.
The turtles, most of which were female, were making their stately way from the west side of Runway 4 to the east. The airport lies alongside Jamaica Bay and a protected nature reserve. At about this time of year the turtles, which can grow up to 9 inches long and weigh up to three pounds, heave themselves out of the bay and head toward a beach to lay their eggs.
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“The sandy spot on the other side of Runway 4L is ideal for egg laying,” said a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the airport. “It is a naturally provided turtle maternity ward.”