Trending

Customs agents find dolphin skull at airport in Michigan

ROMULUS, Mich. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last week found a dolphin skull in some international baggage.

>> Read more trending news

In a news release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said “something fishy” was discovered during inspections of unaccompanied international baggage last week at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

CBP said the luggage was apparently separated from its owners during transit and as it made reentry into the United States, routine X-ray screenings revealed a skull-shaped item in one of the bags.

CBP and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that the skull belonged to a young dolphin following an examination.

CBP said, according to The Associated Press, importing or exporting marine mammals like dolphins is prohibited.

“The possession of wildlife items, especially those of protected animals is prohibited,” said Area Port Director Robert Larkin in the news release. “We take wildlife smuggling seriously and work closely with our federal partners at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect wildlife and their habitats.”

The skull was reportedly turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement wildlife inspectors for further inspection, CBP said.

No further information has been released.