Everyone loves a plush toy at a gift shop, but what about spotting the actual animal itself?
The sight of a possum caused quite a stir for passengers and staff at Hobart International Airport earlier this week.
The surprise visitor was discovered nestled among soft toys in the airport’s gift shop.
Around 11.45am on Wednesday (18 March), Hobart Airport staff, led by Liam Bloomfield, the multi-site manager at Lagardere AWPL, found the possum comfortably settled within the native plush toys in the shop, according to ABC Australia.
“It looked like he was pretty comfortable with his friends there,” said Mr Bloomfield, noting the animal seemed relaxed and unbothered by its unusual surroundings.
Source: ABC Australia
The situation took a wild turn, however, when the possum decided to explore the terminal.
Things got a bit chaotic as the possum made its way out of the shop, with passengers scrambling to catch a glimpse and snap videos, he recalled.
In a press release on 19 March, a Hobart Airport spokesperson confirmed that the tiny marsupial was spotted at the Gifts and Souvenirs store in Departures
“Our team ensured the little visitor was safely escorted, it wasn’t distressed – just another day of adventuring,” the spokesperson added.
While the possum’s method of entry remains a mystery, Mr Bloomfield speculated that ongoing redevelopment work at the airport might have given the animal an opportunity to wander in.
Regardless, he praised airport management for their handling of the situation, calling it a “nice little spike of happiness” in an otherwise routine day at the airport.
Also read: Rescuers find male koala holding & hugging deceased female by a tree in Australia
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Featured image adapted from ABC Australia.