An aircraft has been stuck on the ground for over five days due to an unexpected issue involving a large number of hamsters.

More than 130 of the rodents managed to escape their cages during a flight and have been causing a delay in the plane’s return to Lisbon.

The plane, an Airbus 320 worth £83 million, remains grounded while crews continue the search for the elusive hamsters.

The Great Hamster Escape

The incident occurred when the plane landed in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores archipelago.

Baggage handlers discovered that the cages containing the hamsters were damaged, allowing them to roam free in the cargo hold.

As passengers disembarked and luggage was unloaded, workers realized that 132 hamsters had scattered throughout the plane.

Despite efforts to capture them, 16 hamsters are still on the loose.

Hamsters’ Unexpected Journey

These hamsters were part of a shipment destined for a local pet shop, along with ferrets and birds.

However, the rodents had already been rejected from a previous flight because their cages didn’t meet safety standards.

Once allowed onto the Airbus, the hamsters made their escape, forcing the plane to remain grounded and preventing it from returning to Lisbon.

Workers Confront Sharp-Toothed Rodents

Photos of the ongoing rescue efforts show workers carefully handling the hamsters while wearing gloves to protect themselves from the animals’ sharp teeth.

Hamsters are known for having incisors tougher than materials like lead and iron, which they need to gnaw on constantly to keep them from growing too long.

Their natural instinct to chew on everything, including wires, caused the damage that led to their breakout.

Safety Tips for Hamster Owners

For hamster owners, it’s crucial to secure all electrical wires and cords out of reach.

Experts recommend checking behind appliances and around floor-level electronic devices.

If a hamster escapes, it’s important to look for them near electrical wires and safely redirect them to avoid the risk of electrical shock.

One blog warns that chewing on a wire could not only lead to replacing the cable but also a potential electrical accident.

The Search Continues

At this point, the search for the remaining hamsters is still ongoing.

TAP Air Portugal, which operated the flight, has not commented on the situation.

The plane’s return to Lisbon will depend on the successful recovery of all the animals.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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