Air traffic controllers have come up with an original and almost unbelievable reason for closing an airport runway in the United States.

Almost 200 turtles stopped jumbo jets in their tracks at New York’s JFK airport.

The diamondback terrapin turtles were spotted trying to get to the other side of the runway to lay eggs at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which borders the airport.

Pilots from Jet Blue and other airlines halted their flights for about 15 minutes to let the turtles pass.

Airport staff assisted helped them on their way while flights were re-routed to another runway.

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