Woman’s Attempt to Craft Necklace with Giraffe Poo Foiled at US Airport

Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport, Minnesota: In a peculiar incident that unfolded at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport on September 29, US customs agents intercepted a woman attempting to bring a box of giraffe excrement into the United States, with the intent of using it to craft a necklace.

Upon her arrival, the woman, hailing from Iowa, voluntarily disclosed the small box of feces when selected for a baggage inspection. She claimed to have collected the material during a recent trip to Kenya, where she conceived the idea of using it for her unique accessory.

Previously, the same woman had fashioned a necklace from moose dung.

While it may come as a surprise, giraffe excrement can indeed enter the United States legally, provided the necessary permits and inspections are adhered to, as noted by Minnesota Public Radio. Notably, in this case, the woman will not face any penalties because she declared the feces and handed it over to the customs officials.

US Customs and Border Protection’s agriculture specialists, in line with their protocols, proceeded to dispose of the giraffe feces.

LaFonda D Sutton-Burke, a field director at US Customs and Border Protection, emphasized the potential health risks associated with importing fecal matter. She remarked, “There is a real danger with bringing fecal matter into the US. If this person had entered the US and had not declared these items, there is a high possibility that a person could have contracted a disease from this jewelry, leading to serious health issues.”

Kenya is known to have certain diseases, such as African swine fever, classical swine fever, Newcastle disease, foot-and-mouth disease, and swine vesicular disease, which US customs officials have identified as potential risks.