Snakes to travel in coffee bottles

Snakes to travel in coffee bottles

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Conservation authorities have foiled an
attempt by three Russians to smuggle three Boeleni python out of
Irian Jaya province.

Setio Hindrianto, head of the local conservation office, told
Antara Tuesday that the three snakes were placed in instant
coffee bottles and hidden in a room at the Mangsapurani Hotel
near Sentani airport in Jayapura.

According to Setio, the Russians -- identified only as DT, VD
and VLD -- were accompanied by a guide from Bogor, West Java.
They claimed to have a permit issued by the Indonesian Institute
of Sciences to conduct a study on the snake. The Institute denied
issuing the permit.

Conservation office personnel grew suspicious when only one of
the two people registered to handle the snakes came to pick them
up.

The Russians said that they purchased the three snakes from
Wamena villagers for Rp 100,000 (about US$43) each.

In Jakarta, each would sell for more than Rp 1 million,
fetching even higher prices abroad. (14)