Two live parrots were found hidden in an Elmo doll by federal agents while inspecting the belongings of a couple at the border between the United States and Mexico.
The discovery was made at an Arizona entry port on the border by agricultural specialists about two weeks ago on July 1st, according to the Associated Press.
The Customs and Border Protection said the agricultural specialists found the birds after they cut the doll open and an X-ray detected something unusual about its contents. The border agency added that it regulates birds entering the country as a safety precaution because of the possibility that they may carry bacterial and viral diseases.
The routine check resulted in the parrots being taken away from the couple, who received a fine of $300, Metro reported. As for the birds, Customs and Border Protection officials had them placed in quarantine and transferred to a Department of Agriculture holding facility.
