Human Presence Alone Alters Wildlife Behavior, COVID Lockdown Study Finds

A study released on May 21 in Science indicates that the behavior of wild animals is notably influenced by human activity. Researchers analyzed GPS data from more than 4,500 animals, encompassing 22 bird species and 15 mammal species, alongside cellphone location data across the U.S. They focused on movement patterns from January through August in 2019 and 2020. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, two-thirds of the species altered their range or habitat niche. For instance, common ravens increased their range by ten square miles weekly, whereas coyotes reduced theirs by four square miles. The effects were more pronounced in natural settings. This research, part of the Covid-19 Bio-Logging Initiative, emphasizes the need for conservationists to account for habitat changes and human actions. Co-authors include Ruth Oliver, Scott Yanco, and Walter Jetz.