Wildlife Sees Resurgence During COVID-19 Lockdowns

It’s still early days really, but COVID-19 could well go down as one of the most disruptive events of the century. It’s changed everything and cost an unfathomable amount of lives. To search for a bright side in this devastation could be seen in poor taste, but just as in the wake of a natural disaster, where find beauty in the way people rally to a cause, so too is there something to be said for how wildlife has rallied to fill the void left behind by lockdowns and quarantines. Some species have taken full advantage of our quieter world, but which animals are seeing a new lease of life while we’re stuck inside? 

Sea Turtles 

Abandoned beaches might not be good for tourism but they're excellent for sea turtles. The animals are thriving under lockdown measures. Quiet and undisturbed beaches mean easier nesting and higher success rates of hatching. Less plastic around on the coasts also doesn’t hurt, either! With so many new turtles entering our waters, those who dream of swimming with turtles will be in for a treat when lockdown measures end. 

Whales 

Whales are sensitive to sound and avoid distributive shipping channels and areas popular with cruise ships. A decline in large vessels has meant whales have had a chance to spread out and feed in areas not normally available to them. 

Killer whales, for example, have been seen swimming further north along the coast of Vancouver Island than ever before. If you’re interested in swimming with whales and able to travel to do so, now is a great opportunity. 

Urban Wildlife

Animals living close to urbanised areas are getting a reprieve. Roadkill incidents have fallen dramatically since lockdown began and fewer cars were found on the roads. While lower emissions, in general, is great news in itself, the lack of vehicles driving around has given animals like deers, squirrels and other woodland creatures a chance to boost their numbers.

Bears

Bears and humans rarely share the same habitat, but in the national parks of North America like Yosemite, they’re regularly in close contact. Hordes of visitors flock to these beauty sites year-round, but during the outbreak, they’ve been quiet. Bears, timid animals, often avoid the noise and footfall of people, which means they’re now getting more confident and exploring areas in which they’re never normally seen. 

Bees

It’s not just larger animals enjoying the changes brought about by Coronavirus. Bees are flourishing, too. Lower emissions in the air improves their ability to track down plants and spread pollen. This, in turn, has the potential to boost the pollination of rare wildflowers.