Baby squirrel hitchhikes on plane (cute picture)

CREDIT: U.S.C.B.P./Rex Features Mandatory Credit: Photo by U.S.C.B.P./REX (4462467a) The baby squirrel after being found on airplane Baby squirrel hitchhikes on airplane, Houston, Texas, America - Feb 2015 FULL COPY: http://www.rexfeatures.com/nanolink/q1rp A cute baby squirrel hitchhiked from Costa Rica to America onboard a passenger jet. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the George Bush Intercontinental Aircraft were notified by aircraft operations employees Feb. 18 about a baby squirrel discovered aboard an aircraft. The aircraft had just arrived from Costa Rica and passengers had deplaned when aircraft employees spotted the tiny squirrel. ï¿½During the course of performing our mission, we may encounter unusual opportunities to aid in the capture of seemingly harmless animals that have hitchhiked into the country,ï¿½ said CBP Port Director Charles Perez. ï¿½While there is a cute factor here, realistically, we understand that animals must be handled carefully.ï¿½

A cute baby squirrel hitchhiked on a flight from Costa Rica to America.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the George Bush Intercontinental Aircraft were notified by aircraft operations workers about the baby squirrel discovered onboard on 18 February.

The aircraft had just arrived from Costa Rica and passengers had disembarked when cabin crew spotted the tiny squirrel.

CBP Port Director Charles Perez told Rex Features: "During the course of performing our mission, we may encounter unusual opportunities to aid in the capture of seemingly harmless animals that have hitchhiked into the country.

"While there is a cute factor here, realistically, we understand that animals must be handled carefully."

A CBP officer and agriculture specialist boarded the plane and caged the squirrel without incident.

Baby Squirrel Found Stowed Away On Plane After International Travel

The tiny animal was quarantined and given food and water until a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspector could take custody of it.

The exact species of the baby squirrel is unknown but Houston Zoo is helping to identify it and will find a new home for the furry stowaway.

Last year, an eight-year-old boy tried to smuggle his pet turtle through customs - in his pants.

Congcong Tai's secret was found out when the turtle started moving, and the staff at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, in Guangdong province, China, found the animal in his underwear.

He had spent some time with his grandmother and couldn't bear to leave the turtle behind when he headed home, reports the Shangaiist.

Border guards spokesman Hu Hsieh said: "She (the grandmother) had told him to leave the pet behind but he had disobeyed her and tried to smuggle it on board the plane.

"When the customs officials noticed he was trying to hide something, he tried to cover it up, and when his grandma asked him what he was hiding he tried to cover it up even more."