Our Wild Animal Friends
New Arrivals
Perhaps the most unexpected event in 2020 (bushfires and pandemic aside) for my family was the arrival of a proud mother duck with ten tiny ducklings. They’ve declared dominion over our pool and taken up permanent residence. I think it’s been cathartic for everyone to watch them grow and spread their wings – literally!
For many of us, wild animals are just as important to us as our domesticated friends. They aren't just cute, majestic, or fascinating; all species play vital roles in our ecosystem. Climate change, deforestation, urbanization, poaching, and other human-caused problems are threatening individual species and the whole balance of our planet. The debate is still going strong about the pandemic's effects on wildlife, but here are a few insights...
Turtle Baby Boom
Florida could see a sea turtle baby boom- thanks to the pandemic. Tourism is down, but nesting success may be up. Here’s what scientists are saying and how travelers can help.
Wild animals take over lockdown cities around the world
"As people living in cities are shut away amid countries' COVID-19 lockdowns and the hustle and bustle of city roads are brought to a standstill, wildlife has taken over urban spaces. Penguins run riot in a Cape Town housing estate, Coyotes roam the streets of San Fransisco. A Kangaroo hops around Adelaide and Venice canals have become so clean and peaceful jellyfish have been spotted swimming in the canals of the ancient city."
Nature coming back to Life
"It shows the wildlife coming back as less people come out of their homes and scare the wildlife from their true homes."
Wild Goats Wander into Town Amidst COVID-19 Lockdown
"This photo, specifically taken in a town in Wales, shows that there are so little people and cars out on the streets that the goats find it safe to wander them. Apparently the goats are very cautious around humans so this is one of the only times they’ve even dared to come into the town"
Why are we seeing more wildlife during the pandemic
"This article is important because it discusses why we are seeing more wildlife out and about during the pandemic. They discuss the topic of 'is more wildlife out, or are people just noticing wildlife more?'"
Wildlife activists during the pandemic
"This post specifically is talking about how the last year has had a hard impact on wildlife with COVID being one of the biggest factors."
World Zoonoses Day
"This is a tweet from the UN Environment Programme showing the driving factors behind zoonotic diseases and pandemics. Humans' abuse of the environment is to blame."
“Humanity can no longer stand by in silence while our wildlife are being used, abused and exploited. It is time we all stand together, to be the voice of the voiceless before it's too late. Extinction means forever.”
― Paul Oxton
“If we don't have a place for nature in our heart, how can we expect nature to have a place for us.”
― Abhijit Naskar, When Veins Ignite: Either Integration or Degradation
"Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty." - Albert Einstein
