In an unusual incident at Melbourne Airport, a Virgin Australia flight bound for Brisbane was delayed for hours after a snake was discovered aboard the aircraft, sparking a swift response from wildlife experts and airport staff.
The drama unfolded on July 1, 2025, just as passengers were boarding Flight VA337. Crew members spotted a snake near the aircraft’s landing gear, prompting an immediate alert to airport wildlife officials and professional snake catcher Mark Pelley, famously known as “The Snake Hunter.”
Upon inspection, Pelley located the intruder — a non-venomous green tree snake — hidden behind a panel in the plane’s cargo hold. While harmless, the snake’s presence posed a serious risk to flight operations and passenger safety.
Pelley warned that if the snake had moved deeper into the aircraft, it could have led to a full evacuation and even dismantling of the plane to locate and remove it safely. Fortunately, he successfully captured the reptile on his first attempt, averting major delays.
The flight, originally scheduled for 4:10 PM, eventually departed at 6:23 PM after the all-clear was given.
Authorities suspect the snake may have entered via a passenger’s luggage on the inbound flight from Brisbane. Due to Australia’s strict wildlife isolation regulations, the captured snake cannot be released into the wild and has been handed over to a licensed snake keeper.
During the delay, passengers were accommodated in the airport lounge. While many expressed surprise at the odd nature of the interruption, they also praised Virgin Australia staff for their quick action and calm coordination with wildlife professionals to resolve the situation without panic.
The incident highlights the importance of thorough inspections and rapid-response protocols at airports — especially in regions like Australia, where wildlife encounters, though rare, are not unheard of.
