Image credit: ABC News
A team of researchers led by UK in a recent commentary for Nature Ecology and Evolution , have announced an initiative to track wildlife before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. The aim of this initiative is to study “anthropause” which is likely to have a profound impact on other species.
What is anthropause?
The term ‘anthropause’, as explained by the scientists, is a reference to the considerable global slowing of modern human activities, notably travel during COVID-19 lockdown.
During pandemic lockdown, pumas have been spotted ambling down the streets of Santiago, Chile and coyotes have been combing through San Francisco, while rats have grown increasingly aggressive in their hunt for ever-dwindling scraps, and starving urban monkey gangs brawl over diminishing resources.
Why study needed?
Researchers says that while current lockdowns around the world have left some animals thriving in peace and quiet, others are at greater risk than before. Endangered species, for instance, are experiencing more poaching during this time, as economic hardship strikes some regions more than others and exploitation of natural resources is increased.
Scientists think that this is the perfect time to study these complex interactions further.
Source: Science alert and BBC
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