What Happens When Humans Are Taken Out of the Picture?
When people were forced to stay home over the past few months, and virtually all of life as we know it was put on pause, wildlife was given a reprieve. Human presence creates a great deal of stress for animals. This is especially true during the spring and summer when young are being birthed, juveniles are striking out on their own and hibernating animals are waking up hungry. The fact that our retreat from the wildlife scene coincided with spring increases the benefits for animals. Wildlife have been more free to range in wider territories, some more akin to their original natural habits, and have access to abundant food sources without worry over interactions with people. For instance, nesting birds aren’t frightened off of their roosts, sometimes never to return, because people are getting too close. When mama animals are stressed, it often means that they have fewer offspring and are less able to provide for the ones who are born. The amount of stress and trauma that wildlife is now experiencing is significantly reduced, giving them a higher probability of survival. This may result in increasing numbers within animal populations, or simply allows the existing populations to explore the world more freely. There is no way to truly tell.What Does This Mean for People?
