Snake on a plane delays flight in Australia

In thit photo released by The Snake Hunter, snake handler Mark Pelley lifts a a harmless 60-centimeter (2-foot) green tree snake in the cargo hold of a plane at Melbourne Airport, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (The Snake Hunter via AP) - (The Snake Hunter)

An Australian domestic flight was grounded for two hours on Tuesday after a snake was discovered stowed away in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Passengers were boarding Virgin Australia Flight VA337 at Melbourne Airport, bound for Brisbane, when the reptile was found. Snake catcher Mark Pelley was called to the scene to remove the unexpected passenger.