Travelers got one heck of a surprise while walking through the Hobart airport in Tasmania, Australia, as a live bushtail possum was spotted amongst the stuffed animals. The sneaky marsupial made its way into the gift shop, and videos and images of the critter nestled in with the plush toys went viral almost instantly.
Airport staff quickly intervened and safely removed the possum from the premises to prevent any harm to the possum or shoppers.
Viral Video Captures the Unexpected Airport Guest
TikTokers and vloggers alike began posting the footage across several platforms, showing the possum curled up and surrounded by stuffed kangaroos, koalas, and other plush animals. The comment section is filled with people who were baffled by how well the animal blended into its surroundings.
Other comments mentioned how this could lead to potential dangers if the animal became aggravated or scared. One of the viral clips even captured children and parents pointing and laughing hysterically at the sight within the airport, which led to increased virality; silly kids and cute animals are the easiest way to stardom.
Airport Staff and Wildlife Experts Respond
According to ABC News, Hobart airport staff carefully approached the possum, escorting it out of the shop without incident or injury. Experts claim that bushtail possums are common in Tasmania, usually non-aggressive, but their appearance in such a public place can startle travelers, leading to injury.
Luckily, no one was hurt here, including the cute little bushtail, and the combination of a bustling airport and wildlife blending in with souvenirs led to a very silly and very viral encounter.
