The animals taking back human spaces while the world is in lockdown

Thanks to a lull in human movement, along with suspended ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau since March, sightings of Hong Kong’s endangered pink dolphins have risen by 30 percent. 

The local population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins reside in murky waters with little sun, and therefore lack pigmentation. Their bubblegum pink appearance is the result of warm blood pumping through vessels near the surface of the skin.

Scientists estimate that only 2,500 of these rare pink dolphins are left in the wild. But research suggests that the vulnerable marine animals have adapted to the more tranquil environs quicker than expected, and could even be making something of a comeback.

Flamingos aren't a brand new sight in Mumbai, India – they migrate there annually – but right now there are record numbers of the pink birds around the city. It’s estimated that there has been a 25 per cent increase since last year, due to lower human activity and construction work in the area. Thanks to the current lockdown in the country, they’ve found more peace and quiet to roost. 

Look at these two stunning photographs of flamingos at the TS Chanakya wetlands in Navi Mumbai. Shot by the talented Pratik Chorge for @htTweets. The first image is on page one of the Hindustan Times Mumbai edition today. #birds #Mumbai #flamingos #wildlife #India #photography pic.twitter.com/rrEosfVH0O

— Paroma Mukherjee (@ParomaMukherjee) April 19, 2020

Our #flamingoes! VISIBLE and peaceful. No social distancing here, just #nature doing her duty. Building balance and creating harmony. Thank you @ANI for sharing this pictures from #Mumbai today. #CleanAir pic.twitter.com/htAFNnUZYU

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) April 19, 2020

Strange as it seems, Pelicans aren’t actually an usual sight near Buckingham Palace in central London. The huge birds first arrived in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador and they’ve been living in St James’s Park ever since. They tend to stick to the green space itself, though recently, with the city being unusually quiet, they’ve been a little bolder – Here you can see them strolling along a nearby street called Birdcage Walk. 

London wildlife: pelicans on the deserted Mall 🐦👇🏼.#londonlockdown pic.twitter.com/vhK0ChGqe4

— Isabel Hunt (@Isabel_hunt710) April 26, 2020

While communities around the world try to cope with life in lockdown, some people are loving it. And by people, we mean goats. This herd of mountain goats has been tempted into a Welsh seaside town now that it’s so calm and peaceful with its residents in lockdown. Usually the goats hang out in the hills above Llandudno in Wales, UK, but rather than stay home like the rest of us, the animals have taken the opportunity to run riot around the town’s empty streets.  

Pining for a Big Mac? Ewe better believe it! And so is this lot, by the looks of things. A flock of sheep has descended on a branch of McDonald’s in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, as captured by local Andrew Thomas. McDonald’s shut down branches nationwide on March 23, leaving many fast-food fans bereft. But at least the quiet drive-through has made a peaceful new home for these local residents.

A plucky group of deer are making themselves at home on the streets of Romford. Yes, really. In more weird news, the animal takeover has been brought to our attention by none other than singer-songwriter Billy Bragg, who snapped these pictures of a load of deer hanging out in Harold Hill, east London. They might be loving the sunshine but we’re not sure they’re sitting two metres apart – did they miss the social distancing memo? Oh deer (sorry).

After just a few days of the city’s population being locked indoors, there were reports of wild boars descending from the mountains and hanging around in the centre of Barcelona, Spain. Local reports suggest they might have been looking for food on the streets of the city – though they definitely didn’t join any supermarket queues. 

Coronavirus in Catalonia — Boars descend from the mountains to the very center of Barcelona, after several days of people being locked at homepic.twitter.com/6IRFzl2cKz

— Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) March 19, 2020

Streets and parks in Paris had never been so empty of human presence, and wildlife is gradually regaining its rights in an urban environment where humans are disappearing. Wolves are not (yet) at the gates of the capital, but cormorants, ducks, blackbirds, martens, crows and foxes are taking advantage of the quiet capital. 

As human activity has slowed over the last few weeks, animal activity has picked up. There have been reports of whales being spotted far from their usual routes and habitats. In Vancouver, whales have been seen swimming close to the city in areas usually busy with industry and boat traffic. Meanwhile, in Scotland, UK, a pod of orcas were recently caught on camera near Thurso. They’re usually found around the much-quieter Shetland islands, but experts think the drop in the number of boats on the water has encouraged them to explore new waters. 

I still can’t believe this actually happened last night, Orca’s below our house in Scrabster, Thurso during lockdown @DiscoverThurso @ThursoCDT @NorthCoast500 @NLFerries The Hamnavoe had only left 15 minutes before they passed its berth 😱 #lockdownlisting pic.twitter.com/M1f5GSHzrJ

— Karen Munro (@kasmunro) April 7, 2020

Okay, so this one isn’t in a city or town, but bear (lol) with us. While humans are no longer allowed to explore California’s Yosemite National Park – the space has closed due to the current crisis – the resident animal population are free to do what they wish. And apparently they’re thriving now that all the people have disappeared. According to one of the park’s rangers the bears are practically having a ‘party’ exploring areas usually full of visitors and even using the deserted roads as paths to get where they want to go. 

It might have taken us humans a while to get used to life in lockdown, but these lions in South Africa have adapted pretty quickly. Usually, this pride of big cats aren’t spotted anywhere near the tourist haunts, but a ranger recently snapped them snoozing like a bunch of tame tabbies on the traffic-free tarmac near what was until recently a busy camp for visitors on safari. 

Kruger visitors that tourists do not normally see. #SALockdown This lion pride are usually resident on Kempiana Contractual Park, an area Kruger tourists do not see. This afternoon they were lying on the tar road just outside of Orpen Rest Camp.
📸Section Ranger Richard Sowry pic.twitter.com/jFUBAWvmsA

— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) April 15, 2020

Since the state's residents started staying home and tourism came to a halt, the absence of scuba divers, snorkelers and beach bums is bringing new life to the coral reefs around Oahu. ‘We’re getting a lot of different anecdotal reports of you know, schooling fish and much more present fish in areas like Molokini Crater. Also reports of spinner dolphins in bays in West Hawaii that are just much more prevalent, just seeing different behaviors and activity we haven’t seen in years.’