Passenger aircraft encounters snake incident - with professional detailing the means of its onboard presence
In an unusual incident, a domestic flight in Australia was delayed for two hours due to a stowaway snake found in the cargo hold[1][2][3][5]. The snake, a 60cm green tree snake, initially perceived as venomous, was safely removed by a professional snake catcher, Mark Pelley.
The green tree snake is a protected species native to the Brisbane region, but it is uncommon for snakes to be on planes[4]. The incident occurred on Virgin Australia Flight VA337, which was bound for Brisbane from Melbourne Airport.
According to Mr. Pelley, the snake was fast-moving, thin, and agile, and he had just one chance to grab it. He feared that if the snake fled deeper into the plane, it would have been difficult to catch. To avoid any potential danger, Mr. Pelley informed the aircraft engineer and airline staff that they would have to evacuate the aircraft if the snake disappeared inside the plane[6][7].
When the snake was found as passengers were boarding the plane, Mr. Pelley was quick to act. He advised passengers not to attempt to handle or capture the snake, as snakes, especially if frightened, may act defensively. Instead, he recommended immediately alerting airline staff or airport security so trained personnel could safely deal with the situation[8].
Airlines typically have protocols and trained teams to handle wildlife intrusions safely, minimizing risk to passengers and crew. Passengers' cooperation by promptly reporting such findings is critical for safe resolution.
However, this snake could not be returned to the wild for quarantine reasons. It has been given to a Melbourne vet to find a home with a licensed snake keeper.
Such incidents, though rare, can cause operational disruptions and raise safety concerns, especially in places with venomous snake species. It is essential for passengers to rely on trained professionals rather than attempting intervention themselves[1][2][3][5].
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-29/snake-found-on-plane-causes-two-hour-delay-at-melbourne-airport/100446872 [2] https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/snake-found-on-plane-causes-two-hour-delay-at-melbourne-airport-20210829-p58j6u.html [3] https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-airport-aircraft-delayed-due-to-snake-in-cargo-hold/a4a58b80-2d8b-4e0b-9e5d-e74b8d307a19 [4] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-29/snake-found-on-plane-causes-two-hour-delay-at-melbourne-airport/100446872 [5] https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/snake-found-on-plane-causes-two-hour-delay-at-melbourne-airport-20210829-p58j6u.html [6] https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-airport-aircraft-delayed-due-to-snake-in-cargo-hold/a4a58b80-2d8b-4e0b-9e5d-e74b8d307a19 [7] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-29/snake-found-on-plane-causes-two-hour-delay-at-melbourne-airport/100446872 [8] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-29/snake-found-on-plane-causes-two-hour-delay-at-melbourne-airport/100446872
- During travel, one may encounter unexpected situations such as the delay of a flight due to a venomous stowaway snake, like the green tree snake, in the cargo hold, disrupting one's lifestyle.
- In instances where wildlife intrusions occur on planes, it is crucial to rely on trained professionals for a safe resolution, instead of attempting intervention oneself, as such incidents can pose potential dangers and impede regular travel.
