In pictures: nature reclaims quiet public places during the pandemic

Apr 25, 2020

A dog and a red fox run around an empty skate park in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, where predatory animals now roam amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions that have closed beaches and emptied sidewalks April 19, 2020. Picture taken on April 19, 2020. REUTERS/ Amir Cohen - RC2L9G9LAQBK

Turf war: a fox and a dog run around an empty skate park in Ashkelon, Israel Image: REUTERS/ Amir Cohen

Ceri Parker

Previously Commissioning Editor, Forum Stories, World Economic Forum

With much of the world under lockdown, noisy public places have become quiet, weeds are creeping through the cracks and animals are venturing out onto our streets.

Here are some images captured by Reuters photographers of wildlife during the strange calm of the coronavirus pandemic.

Two's company: Fox cubs under a popular boardwalk at Lake Ontario, Canada Image: REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Wild boars cross a road in a residential area after the government ordered residents to stay home to fight the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Haifa, northern Israel April 16, 2020. Picture taken April 16, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC286G9W0V7J

Boar walk: a residential street in Haifa, Israel Image: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Blossomed vegetation are seen in a public park, during a countrywide lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Khiam, Lebanon April 22, 2020. REUTERS/Aziz Taher - RC2Q9G9ZPVDY

Vegetation has quickly sprung up in this abandoned playground in Khiam, Lebanon Image: REUTERS/Aziz Taher

A man feeds deer in Harold Hill housing estate in Romford, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Romford, Britain, April 3, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC20XF9MO39X

Dear friend: a man feeds some visitors in Romford, England Image: REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

A coyote stands by the roadside as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, at Golden Gate Bridge View Vista Point across from San Francisco, California, U.S., April 7, 2020. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton - RC250G9G60AA

A coyote stands by a quiet road by the Golden Gate Bridge in California, USA Image: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A monkey crosses the road near India's Presidential Palace during a 14-hour long curfew to limit the spreading of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, New Delhi, India, March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2TOF9XRO9K

A monkey crosses the road near India's Presidential Palace in New Delhi Image: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC2TOF9XRO9K

Goats are seen outside a church in Llandudno as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Llandudno, Wales, Britain, March 31, 2020. REUTERS/Carl Recine - RC22VF9B0AT7

A faithful flock: Goats outside a church in Llandudno, Wales Image: REUTERS/Carl Recine - RC22VF9B0AT7

And finally, police in Australia captured this video of a kangeroo with a spring in its stride on Adeleide's empty streets.

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