I think destruction of habitat is what upsets me the most as well.
The area I go is very close to where they are building a huge new arena, and I have been very disappointed the last couple of visits to see how close they are coming to the water sources with the construction. They are building a road right through the middle of the place, and all the excess soil is being piled up within a hundred metres of the pond!
Who knows how many hibernaculums, and other small animal homes have been bulldozed or buried in the process.
All I know, is that the snakes are avoiding the pond now, I'm sure they've all spread out into the quieter areas. But I worry greatly that this is only the beginning.......
