Manila stops real version of "Snakes on a Plane"

MANILA, Nov 23 (Reuters) Manila airport officials prevented a real life version of horror flick ''Snakes on a Plane'' this week when they stopped more than 130 reptiles, including poisonous cobras, from boarding a flight to Bangkok.

Dozens of lizards, wearing diapers to conceal the stench of their urine, and 60 snakes concealed in water bottles, were discovered on Tuesday inside two suitcases belonging to a Filipino woman, airport officials said.

Security officers noticed something moving when her luggage was being x-rayed. One of the nappy-clad lizards reportedly died due to heat.

Believed to be effective aphrodisiacs and good-luck charms, reptiles, amphibians and other exotic animals have become a popular delicacy and ornament in many parts of Asia.

Last week, Manila airport authorities arrested a Filipino man trying to smuggle three live Siamese crocodiles from Cambodia.

REUTERS BDP VV0947