1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,240
At Yosemite National Park in the northern part of the state of California

2
00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:12,679
a bear ambles fearlessly across a forest glade and a herd of deer stroll down an

3
00:00:12,679 --> 00:00:19,199
empty road. The park famed for its waterfalls and giant sequoia trees

4
00:00:19,199 --> 00:00:24,600
normally attracts more than 3 million visitors a year but since it closed to

5
00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:29,640
tourists under coronavirus guidelines normally shy animals are venturing out.

6
00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:35,640
If you were to be there in person, it is quite a sight because it's very quiet right now in the park.

7
00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:39,640
You hear the natural sounds of the river and the wildlife and the birds.

8
00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:47,640
From elephants taking a stroll in a suburb in India to a young puma on the streets of Santiago, Chile,

9
00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:52,640
wild animals are being spotted in the unlikeliest places.

10
00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,640
Professor Sarah Bekasi explains.

11
00:00:55,640 --> 00:01:16,120
A lot of these species have been existing on the periphery of cities, but because the threats that they typically experience, the traffic, the noise, the air pollution and the conflict with people have been dramatically reduced from the self-isolation that we're all having to experience.

12
00:01:16,620 --> 00:01:21,060
These animals have been emboldened to actually re-enter these places.

13
00:01:21,820 --> 00:01:23,740
That's certainly the case in Great Britain,

14
00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,560
where residents in lockdown in a London suburb

15
00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,379
have been enjoying regular visits by a herd of friendly deer.

16
00:01:30,900 --> 00:01:33,079
My little girl thinks that Santa sent the reindeers

17
00:01:33,079 --> 00:01:34,280
because we're all locked down,

18
00:01:34,340 --> 00:01:36,960
so we can keep an eye on everyone and make sure everyone's safe.

19
00:01:37,460 --> 00:01:38,140
Would you like another one?

20
00:01:38,820 --> 00:01:41,640
In Italy, a Tuscan family adopted a fawn

21
00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:44,140
that considers itself part of the family.

22
00:01:44,420 --> 00:01:46,740
He's at the front door again this morning and he went for a walk again.

23
00:01:47,579 --> 00:01:49,280
He spent the day with us yesterday

24
00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:51,299
And he just joined us pretty much in everything.

25
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,920
But not all wildlife encounters have been so friendly.

26
00:01:57,299 --> 00:02:02,599
In the Israeli city of Haifa, where the coronavirus is keeping residents indoors,

27
00:02:03,260 --> 00:02:06,180
wild boars have swarmed into people's gardens.

28
00:02:07,859 --> 00:02:13,099
Onto deserted streets, rooting through garbage and spooking residents.

29
00:02:13,099 --> 00:02:24,340
They are all around here, and we are terrified that they will bring us corona or other disease.

30
00:02:25,719 --> 00:02:31,159
The coronavirus lockdown has brought out wildlife in other parts of Israel as well.

31
00:02:31,599 --> 00:02:39,319
In Tel Aviv, packs of jackals have taken over a deserted park, scavenging for food in what is normally a playground.

32
00:02:39,319 --> 00:02:45,479
around. But some residents are taking it all in stride.

33
00:02:45,479 --> 00:02:51,359
Usually these animals are not doing anything to people, to pets. People have to understand

34
00:02:51,359 --> 00:02:56,400
that they are going to stay with us. They were before, and they are going to stay after

35
00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:57,400
us.

36
00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:03,379
I really hope that this time in self-isolation, when we're actually seeing these remarkable

37
00:03:03,379 --> 00:03:08,759
things happen in our cities, will awaken us to the fact that we can share our spaces with

38
00:03:08,759 --> 00:03:14,919
wildlife and it's actually it's enchanting and it's beautiful and it's it's something that we

39
00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:23,239
should desire in these days of uncertainty self-isolation may be an ideal time to reflect

40
00:03:23,239 --> 00:03:34,280
on how we share the earth with other creatures julie tabo voa news