Passengers picking up their luggage at Philadelphia International Airport Tuesday got a bonus when a raccoon emerged from the baggage shoot, reports the 6abc digital staff and TaRhonda Thomas.

A family in from Australia caught the action on video around 7:30 PM.

Sara Higgins watched it all standing with her husband and three daughters.  

“We could see its tail and we’re like, ‘That is a live animal! What is it?'” recalled Higgins.

The raccoon was trying to make its way down the ramp of the chute when the conveyer belt began to move, so it jumped onto the metal part of the luggage carousel, then jumped off, ending up under a vending machine.

Officials say the airport’s proximity to the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge next door means occasional raccoon visits.

The airport works with the USDA to set humane traps for raccoons.

Back in 2022, PHL officials said a raccoon crawled out of a wall vent and snatched a package of Twizzlers.

The airport is not infested with raccoons or other animals, but it’s too hard to close off every area where a small animal can get in, said Heather Redfern, spokesperson for Philadelphia International Airport.

Read more about raccoon visitors to the Philadelphia International Airport at 6abc.