Construction of Supermarkets Halted for Snake Breeding Season

Bautzen (Saxony) - In the town of Schirgiswalde, the construction of two supermarkets has been paused to allow a pair of smooth snakes to breed undisturbed. Edeka has been working on a new supermarket on a former industrial site along Sauerstraße since the beginning of the year, while Aldi is constructing a discount store across the street. However, progress has come to a halt as two protected smooth snakes were discovered on the site, coinciding with their mating season.

Construction will be on hold until at least early September to provide the snakes with a tranquil environment for reproduction. Edeka announced that no further construction activities will take place in the affected area during this period. After the mating season concludes, the site will be reassessed by environmental experts.

Fortunately for Edeka, the snakes have chosen to breed in the area designated for the customer parking lot, allowing the main supermarket structure to continue its construction. Conversely, Aldi is facing a complete standstill on its project.

Smooth snakes are considered harmless to humans and are strictly protected under environmental laws. A spokesperson for Edeka emphasized the company's commitment to environmental responsibility, stating that they would fully comply with species protection regulations and construct the parking area only after thorough reassessment, ensuring that it poses no risk to the wildlife.

This situation comes on the heels of previous construction delays in the area, which have been attributed to various unforeseen discoveries. Earlier, a mysterious shaft was found on another site, leading to temporary construction halts.

In a related environmental effort, the smooth snakes were located with the help of specially trained conservation dogs. These dogs, known as wildlife protection dogs, are utilized to assist in identifying specific animal and plant species that require protection. This discovery has allowed the snakes to continue their natural behaviors without interference.