When the new “stay-in-place” orders went into action in many places across the United States in early March, not only were businesses such as restaurants and shops closed, but local, state, and national parks across the nation were shutting down. Not only does this mean millions of families cannot visit the parks during the spring (or possibly summer) of this year, but this may also create an income issue for the National Park Service (NHS). However, despite the setbacks for the park services, wildlife is being documented across the country as returning closer to its natural state with the absence of the constant crowds.

On March 20th, Yosemite National Park was closed, under instruction of the NHS, in order to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus. According to the NHS website, Yosemite has an average number of visitors of around 224,000 people, though the month of April 2020 has seen virtually no tourists.

According to the Los Angeles Times, employees sheltering in place in Yosemite park are taking advantage of the lack of sightseers. The staff have been taking hikes and outings, which are not normally experienced with the large crowds of people normally seen in the valley. Because the virus has not yet reached the Yosemite Valley, social distancing measures usually found in other places across the US are not observed there. However, the staff at shops and markets in Yosemite Village are still taking precautionary action to prevent spread of the virus.

With Yosemite National Park quieting down this month, wildlife has started to emerge in places normally crowded with tourists. According to Yosemite Conservancy President Frank Dean, animals usually confined to the shadows have been appearing. “It’s an amazing scene where you hear the natural sounds of the river, wildlife and the birds. The wildlife is getting a little bit bolder now because there are few people around.”

Though the recent closures of parks across the US has led to some uncertainty in the future of the NHS, wildlife has been making a comeback. In Venice, Italy, the canals throughout the city have cleared of sediment, revealing animals such as fish, dolphins, and jellyfish. Bears in Yosemite have been wandering the roads of the valley without the danger of being hit by passing cars. In Nara, Japan, sika deer amble through deserted roadways. More locally, with this time now spent at home, Grants Pass residents get the chance to observe wildlife from their own backyards. Though the pandemic has many negative and devastating effects, perhaps now people --if given the chance-- will get to notice and appreciate wildlife like never before.