Authorities had to tranquilize a wolverine that tried to escape from its metal carrier at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo says officers were called to Terminal C at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. They were told a 40-pound male European wolverine had made a hole in its carrier, which was being carried in a transport van.

The wolverine was traveling from Norway to Alaska.

A veterinarian from the Bronx Zoo soon arrived to tranquilize the wolverine so that he could be safely moved to a secure carrier. The Bronx Zoo also provided a replacement transport container for the animal once he had been tranquilized.

An Alaska State Zoo representative traveling with the wolverine helped oversee the events.

The AP Wire service contributed to this report.