BEIJING, China - Police in China are investigating after 15
boxes filled with live snakes were found on a bus, state media reported today.
The snakes were packed alongside containers holding toads
and rats in the luggage compartment of a 
coach in central China’s Hubei
province, the official Xinhua news agency said.
coach in central China’s Hubei
province, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Many of the vehicle’s 53 passengers were “terrified” and ran
away when the animals were discovered, 200 km into the coach’s journey, it
added.
Xinhua said transportation of live animals must be approved
by Chinese transport and quarantine 
authorities, adding that the driver of the
coach failed to show police certificates granting permission.
authorities, adding that the driver of the
coach failed to show police certificates granting permission.
China’s snake trade
has drawn international condemnation, where the animal’s venom is drained for
use in traditional medicine, their meat for cuisine and their
skin for fashion accessories.
skin for fashion accessories.
Source: Xinhua, AFP
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