Crocodile's day out on Qantas aircraft in Australia

Air Travel is more convenient mainly due to its speed – train could be more spacious but air the fastest.  In an aircraft there are cargo holds which accommodate cargo in containers – these containers are far different that the Intermodal containers that we speak about in ship transportation.  

Though not so frequently, animals also get transported.   I had earlier posted on transportation of - Tomistoma schlegelii in transit and the insurance aspects of such things in transit.  If you are wondering what it is – it is a  a freshwater reptile native to Malaysia and Sumatra resembles a crocodile with a very thin and elongated snout, which is thicker than gharial.   That transportation was arranged in a temperature regulated container with specific arrangement to keep segregated from the rest of the cargo by a wire mesh.

Whilst insuring animals being transported – one needs to study, analyse and understand the risk a lot.  Besides the health condition of the animal, one needs to understand of the climate adjustment,  how the animal would be placed on the hold ensuring that it does not become wary and frightened.  Generally, animals are  given adequate rest before loading and tranquilisers  are not to be used until sedation is compulsorily required.  That giant reptile reached Chennai safely and you can read that interesting  post by clicking here :  croc in transit

Now in news today [Sept 24, 2012] is a different baggage – the one with a bite – a crocodile in transit from Brisbane and Melbourne, made news as it ventured out of its cage.  The crocodile reportedly was on the loose in the cargo hold of a Qantas aircraft.  Sydney Morning Herald reports that although the jaws of a crocodile could have been a nasty find for the baggage handler who discovered it was on the loose, the reptile was safely re-captured without drama.  The report mentioned of  Qantas spokesman confirming the incident but not providing details including the size of the animal let loose.  

The crocodile reportedly  broke free from its cage and roamed the plane's cargo hold during the flight from Brisbane to Melbourne until unsuspecting baggage handlers discovered the reptile when unloading the luggage upon landing.  Some reports measure the croc to be about 60 centimetres in length and was caught without incident. The investigation is focusing on whether it had been loaded appropriately on delivery to Australian air Express.

The one featured above is a mugger - a photo taken by Self, years earlier - the one in news appears to be much smaller in size, as seen from this photo of www.dailymail.co.uk - irrespective of their size, a crocodile is a dangerous animal and can cause serious injury........

With regards – S. Sampathkumar. 

24^th Sept. 2012.