Lockdowns around the world might mean that humans are hunkering down in their homes, but thankfully, this whole situation does not apply to wildlife. While the streets of many towns and cities are deserted, in some communities animals are filling the void left by humans, taking to the streets themselves. From the United States to the United Kingdom, India, Spain, and more, animals are seizing this rare opportunity to explore our cities and towns. They aren’t wearing our pants or taking our jobs yet, and until that happens, there’s no harm in letting the nearby wildlife have some fun.
Photo: Becca Cook/Dogspotting/Facebook
In These Locked-Down Cities, Animals Are Taking Over the Vacant Streets
Lambs on a playground in Preston, England
If the children aren’t going to use the playground, why not let the lambs get some use out of it? The neighborhood better hope lambs don’t get motion sickness.
A coyote relaxing in San Francisco, California
Photo: Becca Cook/Dogspotting/Facebook
The second the lockdown went into effect, this coyote sprinted to the spot, laid down, and called dibs. Not pictured: a crowd of jealous animals off-camera all wishing they’d gotten there first.
A mountain goat takeover in Llandudno, Wales
Llandudno has had some unusual visitors! Mountain goats have been making the most of the town's quiet streets. 🐐https://t.co/YmdwweGEGO pic.twitter.com/1FQIlxBpms
— ITV Wales News (@ITVWales) March 31, 2020
It sounds like the plot of a quirky comedy, but these goats really took over this small town in Wales. And if the video is any indication of their comfort level here, they probably won’t be leaving anytime soon.
A Malabar civet going for a stroll and deer out past curfew in India
Chandigarh today, animals are claiming their land back. pic.twitter.com/opXISaGENY
— Jagdeep Singh (@jaggsiec) March 26, 2020
In Calicut, a critically endangered Malabar civet, a species that usually lives in forests and wetlands, strolls the empty streets of the Indian city.
In Chandigarh, some deer are five minutes away from violating curfew and decided to make a run for it. Some are showing more urgency than others.
Turkeys occupying a playground in Oakland, California
Spotted on the playground at the elementary school next door, which has been closed for several days … wild turkeys! That’s a first. #coronavirus #westoakland pic.twitter.com/tGA4y1l09c
— Charlotte Simmonds (@CharSimmonds) March 20, 2020
It’s seven months until Thanksgiving, so turkeys are feeling particularly bold.
Deer in Harold Hill, London, United Kingdom
Photo: Philippe Edmond/Facebook
Many are having neighborhood social distancing parties, where neighbors gather on a lawn or driveway while maintaining six feet of distance from one another, but this probably isn’t the kind of neighborhood party this house had in mind.
Mountain lions descending on Boulder, Colorado
Photo: clicktosave/Reddit
We’re not saying Boulder released these mountain lions to “encourage” people to stay indoors, but we’re not saying it didn’t do it either.
A jaguar checking into a hotel in Mexico
Un #jaguar aparece en el estacionamiento de un hotel en Quintana Roo aprovechando la ausencia de turistas y de ruido… pic.twitter.com/CSClIPOj0u
— Infolliteras (@infolliteras) March 27, 2020
College kids aren’t going on spring break this year, but that doesn’t mean this jaguar can’t live it up in the sun.
A bear stalking the streets of Asturias, Spain
Ninety nine percent of the time, being cooped up at home is difficult. The other one percent is when a bear is wandering around your street.
Nilgai exploring Noida, India
नोएडा: जीआईपी मॉल के पास नीलगाय। pic.twitter.com/IsP3K39Cwf
— Shafaque Ibrahim (@shafaquealam) March 27, 2020
This nilgai took one look at life under quarantine conditions, said “nope,” and immediately began to sprint away from the madness.
Deer roaming through Nara, Japan
Less tourists in Nara = less people feeding the deer in the parks 🌷🌱 Now they're venturing out into the city eating flowers and plants, per Fuji TV #coronavirus#新型コロナウイルス の影響で海外観光客の減少が続く奈良公園で、鹿せんべいをもらえなくなってしまったシカちゃん達 😢 pic.twitter.com/yUFWJ4S9sj
— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) March 6, 2020
Nara is famous for its deer park, but since the park is closed the deer have been craving human interaction and the treats we give them. Now, they’re proactively taking matters into their own hooves, looking for humans and snacks in the city. 