Animals takeover land while humans follow ‘safer at home’ rules

While we humans have been practicing safe distancing efforts due to COVID-19, the animals have not.

Our neighborhoods and roads have become quiet and empty, luring in the curious animals whose ancestors used to roam these lands long before we moved in.

Some of the animals that have shown up in our cities are cute and cuddly, while others are downright intimating.

Remember to stay safe at home and appreciate these animals from a distance.

And while you’re at it, check out this collection of animals that have wandered into places that they definitely don’t belong.

1. Fox sleeping on a neighbor’s tree stump

There’s no need to trek deep into the forest to find peace and quiet anymore. This little guy decided that a neighborhood would be the perfect place for a nap. We’ll just have to wake him up once quarentine is over.

2. Coyote sunbathing near the Golden Gate Bridge

Lacking its usual barrage of foot and vehicle traffic, San Fransico has become a nice spot to soak in some rays and enjoy the view. This coyote is taking full advantage of the current situation. All it needs to do now is throw on a collar and it may just be able to pass as a local dog once things get busy again.

3. Sri Lankan deer roams empty streets

This deer decided to take a stroll through the city. As a part of the local herd that gets fed by the residents, it was probably looking for a tasty treat. But with everyone staying indoors, a snack may be hard to come by.

YouTube Screenshot
Source:

YouTube Screenshot

4. Puma in Santiago, Chile

Known to be one of the most stealth animals on the planet, this Puma was caught off-guard by a local cameraman. Flanked by the Andes Range to the east and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west, Santiago is literally surrounded by these mountain dwellers. They just don’t usually make there way into the city streets.

5. Deer in East London

This group of deer decided to relax in the front yards of these residents of Harold Hill. And why not? It’s not like they’ve got cars and kids and tourists to compete with.

Philippe Edmond
Source:

Philippe Edmond

6. Wild boar in Italy

With Italy being one of the hardest hit countries during the COVID outbreak, there is plenty of room for the animals to wander around. This Boar decided to take a stroll on the streets. H0wever, someone may want to let her know that Italians do love to eat pork…

7. Mountain goats on the streets in Wales

In Llandudno, a northern coastal town in Wales, mountain goats have come down into the cities. So used to seeing the city from the tops of cliffs, these goats thought it would be nice to gain some perspective from the ground floor. But they do seem a bit confused with how level the ground is down here.

8. Deer in Nara, Japan

In Nara, Japan, this deer has wandered out of the forest and into the streets. The deer in this area are used to being fed by tourists in the parkland, but rarely do they venture this far into the city for a treat. Looks like this one may get lucky, though.

9. Turtles crowd the beaches in India

No longer having to compete with the beach-goers, these Olive Ridley turtles can spread out as much as they’d like. Odisha, India is known for its turtle population, but they are rarely seen in congregations of this size. There have been reports of these turtle groups reaching into the hundreds during the quarentine.

10. Mountain lions in front yard

Residents of Bouder, Colorado are no strangers to wildlife. But seeing mountain lions in your front yard is a rarity even for this mountainside town. Lets just hope that the person taking the picture remembered to shut the back door.

11. Wild turkeys at school

These wild turkeys were seen on the field of an elementary school in West Oakland, California. Although wild turkeys do inhabit parts of northern California, they don’t usually show up in the city and definitely don’t show up at school. The school had only been closed for a couple of days before these gobblers arrived.

12. Lambs playing games

Finally, the animals have a chance to use all of our human toys! For years they’ve had to sit by the wayside, watching us enjoy our opposable thumb-built creations. But for now, our playgrounds belong to them.

13. Seals on stairs in Spain

The Urumea in Spain runs right through the province of Gipuzkoa. It is used mainly by boats for shipping, travel and trade. However, during these strange times, it is used by seals looking to hang out as well.

14. A malabar civet in India

By far the coolest animal to make an appearance is this malabar civet. It is a critically endangered mammel that is rarely seen. But these lucky people in a small town in India get an upclose encounter with this incredible creature.

15. A Nilgai in India

Another cool animal to show up in India was this Nilgai. It is a native Asian antelope. common in the area. However what’s not common is to see one running down the empty streets of a normally busy intersection.

16. Boars in Isreal

Much like the wild boars in Italy, these boars in Israel decided to take advantage of the empty city streets. They got first dibs on any food scraps or tasty trash let behind. Since pigs are known to eat anything, these two will surely be having themselves a feast.

17. Lions lounging on the road

Although it’s not unusual to see lions in Kruger National Park in South Africa, it is unusual to see them sleeping on the road. Because of the park’s closure due to COVID-19, the normally crowded roads are free from tourists and vehicles. There’s nothing like a warm stretch of pavement on a cold morning for this pride of lions.

18. Coyotes in Yosemite

Similar to the lions of Kruger National Park, the coyotes of Yosemite National Park are enjoying their human-free wanderings. Living within one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., Yosemite’s wildlife population has become accustomed to tourism. However, getting a break from the hustle and bustle must be a nice change of pace for many of the park’s year-round inhabitants.

19. Alligator in South Carolina

There’s nothing quite as terrifying as a prehistoric monster walking through the middle of a shopping mall. It sounds like the premise to a crappy horror movie. But it was the reality for residents of one small town in South Carolina.

20. More monkeys in Thailand

If you’ve ever been to Thailand, then you know that there are no shortage of monkeys. But with the number of people on the streets dimishing, the urban monkey population is growing. These guys were seen hanging out at Prang Sam Yod temple in Lopburi.

21. Sheep herds in Italy

These sheep have been seen roaming around the streets in Italy. Usually confined to the hills, the light traffic and lack of pedestrians has lured them into town. They seem right at home amongst the gaurd-rails and asphault.

bi-until-theday-idie
Source:

bi-until-theday-idie

22. A not-so-wild horse

This horse in Italy has decided to trade sprawling countryside for a more urban lifestyle. Without the crowded streets, he is free to lumber along storefronts and shop windows. The scene is reminiscent of time when horses would have been seen throughout cities as the main form of transportation.

dopo-magari-lo-cambio
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dopo-magari-lo-cambio

23. More deer in Nara, Japan

Remember that earlier picture of the deer on the streets in Nara, Japan? Well, it turns out that that deer wasn’t alone. He had lots of friends.

24. Dolphins in Sardinian Harbors

The streets aren’t the only place that we are seeing less traffic. At the Sardinian Harbors in Italy, dolphins are enjoying free range of the sea. Without boats to compete with, they can swim right up to the edge of the dock.

25. Ducks in Rome’s fountains

With all the tourism that takes place in Rome, you rarely see wildlife in the fountains. They are too swarmed with people taking pictures or tossing in coins for good-luck. It’s nice to see the ducks getting a chance to enjoy them for a change.

26. Clear water for sea-life in Venice canals

Due to its lack of use, the canals in Venice have cleared up. You can see straight to the bottom now and locals have reported seeing fish and other sea-life swimming along. It can be easy to forget that these waterways are used by other forms of life as well.

27. Privacy for Pandas

Ying Ying and Le Le have been at the Ocean Park Zoo in Hong Kong for over a decade. And in that time, zoo employees have been urging them to mate, but without success. Finally, after the zoo’s shut-down due to COVID-19, the Pandas had the privacy that they needed and decided to mate!

28. Ducks on the sidewalks

It’s normal to see ducks when you’re out and about in the city. Maybe you’d see them in the park or a pond somewhere. But rarely would you see them right downtown on the corner of a busy street.

29. Geese on tarmac

In Israel, the geese have taken to the tarmac. Since very few planes are using the runways right now, the geese decided that they ought to give it a try. And it looks like they’re all clear for takeoff.

30. Peacock in the street

It’s a pretty unique experience to see a peacock anywhere. But to see one in the street is even more peculiar. This one found a parking lot and seems to be looking for that perfect spot.

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