Snake Found in Cargo Hold Delays Australian Flight

A domestic flight in Australia faced a two-hour delay after a snake was discovered in the cargo hold, officials reported. The incident occurred as passengers were boarding Virgin Australia Flight VA337 at Melbourne Airport bound for Brisbane. Snake catcher Mark Pelley found a harmless 2-foot green tree snake in the darkened hold, initially suspecting it to be venomous. The snake was successfully captured, averting the need to evacuate the plane. The snake, native to Brisbane, was handed over to a Melbourne veterinarian for rehoming due to quarantine regulations. Pelley believes the snake may have stowed away in a passenger’s luggage. (Newser)