emirates7 - A domestic flight in Australia was delayed for two hours after a snake was discovered in the plane’s cargo hold, officials reported on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday as passengers were boarding Virgin Australia Flight VA337 from Melbourne to Brisbane, according to snake catcher Mark Pelley.
The intruder was a 60-centimetre green tree snake, which is non-venomous. However, Pelley initially believed it might be dangerous when he encountered it in the dimly lit cargo area. “I assumed it was venomous at first because it looked quite threatening in the dark,” he said. “It was only after I secured it that I realized it was harmless.”
Australia is home to many of the world's most venomous snake species. Due to biosecurity regulations, the snake cannot be released back into the wild.
As it is a protected species, the snake has been handed over to a Melbourne veterinarian, who will arrange for it to be rehomed with a licensed snake handler.
The incident occurred on Tuesday as passengers were boarding Virgin Australia Flight VA337 from Melbourne to Brisbane, according to snake catcher Mark Pelley.
The intruder was a 60-centimetre green tree snake, which is non-venomous. However, Pelley initially believed it might be dangerous when he encountered it in the dimly lit cargo area. “I assumed it was venomous at first because it looked quite threatening in the dark,” he said. “It was only after I secured it that I realized it was harmless.”
Australia is home to many of the world's most venomous snake species. Due to biosecurity regulations, the snake cannot be released back into the wild.
As it is a protected species, the snake has been handed over to a Melbourne veterinarian, who will arrange for it to be rehomed with a licensed snake handler.