Sarah BrodskyJun 9, 2023
Nell Greenfieldboyce

When people suddenly stayed home during COVID lockdowns, wild animals started traveling more.

A new study of over 2000 mammals from dozens of species (elephants, pumas, reindeer, etc) found that animals traveled substantially longer distances and ventured closer to roads when traffic sharply declined.

The finding, in Science, adds to previous research suggesting that temporary road closures could help wildlife management.
#wildlife #traffic #conservation

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/08/1181043524/humans-traveled-less-during-covid-restrictions-animals-traveled-more

Jun 8, 2023 at 6:57pmWeb
Show threadPaul NixJun 8, 2023

@nellgreenfieldboyce Animals are people too. Flashing back to the time there were wild turkeys ruling our streets and there was a bald eagle in our backyard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRHVFJvKCb0

Well it's it a nice day out- AHH THERE'S A FRIGGEN EAGLE IN THE YARD!

YouTube
Show threadBronMason For Kamala 2024Jun 8, 2023

@nellgreenfieldboyce

I walked outdoors daily during the Covid shutdown; I remember noticing how many birds I was seeing and hearing & it was delightful! This formerly busy urban area became so bucolic for a moment in time!

Hopefully humans will learn an important lesson from this study!

#wildlife #conservation

Show threadaarondleongJun 8, 2023
@nellgreenfieldboyce There's a fun project collecting data for studies like this. This is the Seattle-area study, but similar efforts are being run throughout the country. https://www.zoo.org/seattlecarnivores
Seattle Urban Carnivore Project - Woodland Park Zoo Seattle WA

Studying how carnivores live and interact with people across urban and suburban areas in the Seattle region.