Photos and videos show wildlife re-emerging as coronavirus sends people indoors
Kevin O'Toole
Following the advice of scientists, politicians and medical professionals, people worldwide have largely shut themselves indoors to help curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Schools have shut down, sporting events and church services have been cancelled, and many businesses have either completely shuttered or sent their employees home to work remotely. All of this means that people are spending a whole lot more time indoors and much less time driving or walking around outside.
Social distancing has had an unexpected outcome. The past several weeks have seen a number of incredible stories and photos and videos of wildlife re-emerging worldwide. Bears and coyotes and goats and jackals are emerging from the forests and fields and taking to the streets. These are some of the most fascinating such stories from the past several weeks.
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Houston SPCA sees spike in injured and orphaned animals
Karen Warren/Staff photographer
Executive Director Sharon Schmalz holds a baby Eastern Screech Owl at the Houston SPCA's Wildlife Center of Texas, in Houston,Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The Houston SPCA's Wildlife Center has taken in some 700 more animals over the last three months than in years prior. The higher number is mostly attributed to people venturing outdoors for fresh air during the coronavirus lockdown and coming into contact with more wildlife.
Coyote sightings on the rise due to stay-at-home orders
Karlin, Rick
Officials say coyote sightings are on the rise across the country. The cause of the increase may be twofold. First, experts say people are simply home looking out their windows more, and thus have more opportunity to see the coyotes that may be there everyday. And second, coyotes may be venturing out further to take advantage of empty streets.
With humans away, the whales will play
Alan Solomon/TNS
In another sign that wild animals are roaming more freely while locked-down people are sheltering indoors from the coronavirus, a maritime patrol has filmed remarkable images of whales powering through Mediterranean waters off the coast of southern France.
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Errant goat gets stuck under an overpass bridge in upstate New York
NYSP
A goat, perhaps taking social distancing to an extreme, needed a rescue after he found himself seemingly trapped on a ledge under a busy highway overpass near Marcy, N.Y.
Wildlife is reclaiming Yosemite National Park
Tourists are no longer allowed in California's most popular national park, and as a result the bears, bobcats and coyotes are retaking the spaces normall filled with people. "The bear population has quadrupled," said one Yosemite employee.