Urban centers across the globe fell silent as governments imposed lockdowns to contain the spread of a novel coronavirus. Almost immediately, reports began emerging from cities around the world describing wildlife venturing into these unusually empty public spaces.
France 24 documented wild boars wandering through the avenues of Barcelona, a cougar spotted roaming the Chilean capital of Santiago, and ducks freely exploring the boulevards of Paris.
The American outlet The Daily Beast reported that similar wildlife sightings were occurring across cities in the United States as well.
In Arcadia, a community within Los Angeles County, California, residents discovered a massive black bear that strolled across a public square, toppled over trash containers, enjoyed a meal, and eventually wandered back into the surrounding forest. In San Francisco, also in California, coyotes were observed in several neighborhoods throughout the city.
British journalist Andrew Steward, based in Manchester, shared on his Twitter account that he spotted a herd of goats charging down the road at night through the window of a pub. He joked that "for a moment, I thought I was hallucinating."
Deer that typically graze in the park left the grounds and spread out across central Nara, Japan, where they had once been fed by visitors, and now forage for food on their own. At first, locals appeared uncertain how to respond, though recent video footage suggests they have already adjusted to the new reality.
Meanwhile, in Italy, horses, wild boars, and sheep are now confidently patrolling the streets.
Most people are documenting these encounters from the windows of their homes.
credit: dopo-magari-lo-cambio.tumblr.com
Specialists explain that wildlife has been emboldened to explore urban areas because the animals have lost their natural wariness and feel secure in spaces normally dominated by humans. However, this familiarity could create significant challenges once lockdown restrictions are lifted and city residents return to their daily routines.
Experts also note an upside to the current situation: the peaceful conditions on the streets could support a rebound in bird populations, many of which are currently in the midst of their active breeding season.
Featured image credit: © AP Photo / Jae C. Hong
