More people at home during COVID lockdowns, more wildlife sightings. But are Seattle's animals actually changing their behavior?
During the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown, Seattle residents began reporting a surge in urban wildlife sightings, from midday coyotes to raccoons to river otters. But local researchers are urging caution before drawing big conclusions.
Christopher Schell at UW Tacoma and Robert Long of Woodland Park Zoo's Seattle Urban Carnivore Project, both of whom monitor animal behavior through cameras connected to the Urban Wildlife Information Network, say it is too early to confirm whether animals are genuinely changing their habits. The more likely explanation, at least in part, is that people are simply outside more and paying closer attention. Social media amplifies the effect, with one viral video prompting waves of heightened awareness.
The numbers on the Carnivore Spotter platform are striking regardless of cause. Reported coyote sightings in Seattle jumped from 9 in April 2019 to 31 in April 2020, with 18 of those during daylight hours. Raccoon and otter sightings also increased significantly.
One genuinely documented shift involves rats. With restaurants closed and dumpsters empty, rodents have been moving from commercial areas into residential neighborhoods in search of food.
