夜雨聆风
Snakes and lizards are raised in a "breeding center" in an office building in downtown Shanghai.
Employees working in an office tower in Shanghai have complained about a tenant allegedly converting part of a commercial office floor into a reptile breeding facility housing hundreds of snakes, lizards and insects, raising concerns over foul odors, sanitation and public safety, Shanghai Morning Post reported yesterday.
Workers at Wisdom Plaza on Wuning Road in Shanghai's Jing'an District said the tenant has been operating what they describe as a reptile "breeding center" on the 14th floor while attracting customers through online social media accounts. Employees from several companies on the same floor reported that a strong musky odor from the animals has lingered in hallways and office areas for an extended period due to limited ventilation.
Reptiles are being hatched in the "breeding center" in the office building.
According to neighboring tenants, the operator also keeps live insects, including crickets, to feed the reptiles. Some of the feeder insects have reportedly escaped and spread throughout the floor, creating additional discomfort for office workers.
The situation has fueled concerns about potential health risks. Employees said reptile waste occasionally contaminates shared areas and questioned whether adequate disinfection and disease-control measures are in place. They also expressed worries about the possibility of escaped animals and the spread of bacteria or parasites associated with reptile breeding.
Snakes and lizards are kept in stacks of plastic containers in the office building.
A property management official said the tenant rented the office space under a personal name about two years ago and has been keeping large numbers of reptiles inside opaque storage containers. The tenant rarely appears during business hours, instead visiting every few days, usually at night, to feed the animals and clean the premises, according to the report.
Property managers said they had detected unusual odors during routine inspections and repeatedly urged the tenant to address the issue, but conditions showed little improvement, the report said.
Following complaints, market regulators in Jing'an District conducted an inspection focusing on the company's business licenses, operating scope and animal-related compliance requirements. Authorities said a preliminary review found no violations within the jurisdiction of market regulation laws.
Officials said the investigation will continue and that any evidence involving wildlife protection or other regulatory violations will be referred to the relevant authorities.
The urban management bureau in Caojiadu Subdistrict said the business is a licensed pet-related enterprise and that indoor breeding and hatching of pet snakes and insects falls under the authority of forestry-related regulators. However, officials acknowledged complaints about the odor and have summoned both the tenant and property management company, requiring them to strengthen cleaning and disinfection measures.
The tenant has pledged to install additional door and window seals to reduce the spread of odors, while local authorities said they will continue monitoring the site and overseeing corrective measures.
