The world’s never been more quiet than they are right now—heck, even the planet is literally moving less from increased inactivity— so it’s little surprise that we’re getting reports from around the world of animals taking over cities and town during lockdown.
Canada’s no exception. Sure, folks up in the Great White North aren’t strangers to seeing wildlife in their backyards and sometimes wandering the city streets, but this past month has seen a notable uptick in reported sightings. Just before we flipped the page on our calendars to April, whales were reported on the shore near Vancouver on March 28, with four orca whales getting closer than a local's ever seen in the 59 years:
Apparently the natural world likes the economic slow down. Saw a pod of four Orca whales in Indian Arm yesterday. First time in my 59 years I have seen whales this far up the Arm. #northvan pic.twitter.com/WYoi6RrJcT
— Jim Hanson (@jimhanson_NV) March 28, 2020
When it comes to Canada in particular this month, the website iNaturalist.ca has seen as many as 15,000 new reported sightings in the first days of April; compare that to the same time last year when 9,500 sightings were reported. These aren't just in the bush, but found on city streets. Take these cute fox sightings in Toronto, Ontario:
The wildlife are returning to the city. Spotted at Yonge and Queens Quay. from r/toronto
Meanwhile, while people in Montreal, Quebec aren't seeing as many coyotes as they have in recent years, more and more Montrealers are saying they're seeing wild turkeys on their streets and in their backyards:
A wild turkey visiting our neighbourhood in Pointe-Claire, Quebec ( a suburb of Montreal)! pic.twitter.com/JFCTuxBo1F
— Dave Page (@dnpage) April 16, 2020
There's a wild turkey running free in my neighbourhood.
— RoxyB (@FoxRoxB) April 14, 2020
It's no dolphin in the Seine but it's pretty entertaining.#montreal #hochelaga pic.twitter.com/7dD1lMTm6C
As for the western side of the country, it looks like a lot of deer came out of hiding just to poke their noses around a neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta and inspiring some social distancing while they were at it.
If the deer can do it, so can we Alberta!
— Rhonda Hamchell (@wrgrl3) April 5, 2020
Keep social distancing as a way to care for everyone!
Stay safe...🙏 pic.twitter.com/XL3Cq2nAcG
Lastly, today yielded moose being spotted in the Canada's capital city Ottawa, Ontario. Like we mentioned, Canadians aren't strangers to seeing animals from time to time, but sightings like this one are exceptional, causing locals to pull over and record what they can see.
Today i ran into a pair of Moose 🦌 a Fan 👦 and Some Cops 👮♀️ all at the same time in my town my life is crazy also first time i have ever seen a Wild moose in #Ottawa maybe the wildlife coming bk now that we all in Quarantine also @OttawaPolice are the greatest 👌🏼☺️ pic.twitter.com/wqM36RJv3m
— MOE SARGI (@MoeSargi) April 9, 2020
We and our partners @NCC_CCN are monitoring two young, healthy moose in the Ramsayville area. They are in a safe location and are feeding.
— Ottawa By-law (@OttawaBylaw) April 21, 2020
⚠️Motorists be watchful and slow down
⚠️Please give the animals some space and stay away so as not to stress them#OttCity @OttawaPolice pic.twitter.com/yapooE1xeb
Most popular on Time Out
- The City of Montreal has launched an eco-friendly bike delivery service for small businesses
- 21 photos of Montreal’s busiest places show it’s a ghost town out there
- Elena has a digital cookbook to support the restaurant relief fund and it's amazing(ly cheap)
- #ÇaVaBienAller: 25 photos of Montreal in rainbows and messages of hope