Wildlife is coming back to a tourist-free Venice under strict quarantine

[Simon]

Several videos and images posted on social media has shown how wildlife is starting to come back to Venice as the city is on lockdown due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. The videos show how the absence of motorised transport which normally churns up the muddy canal floor has turned the waters of Venice into a calm and crystal-clear lagoon filled with fish and dolphins.

"The water is blue and clear," said Gloria Beggiato who owns the celebrated Metropole Hotel a few steps from St Mark’s square to the Guardian. "It is calm like a pond, because there are no more waves caused by motorised boats transporting day-tripper tourists. And of course, the giant cruise ships have disappeared."

All kinds of wildlife – from fish and dolphins to ducks and wild boars – have seen taking advantage of a tourist-free city under strict quarantine.

"We Venetians have the feeling that nature has returned and is taking back possession of the city," said Beggiato. "I honestly believe we should take the opportunity of this lockdown to reflect and see how we can be more organised in the future to find a balance between the city and tourism."

'Nature is taking back Venice': wildlife returns to tourist-free city | Environment | The Guardian

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With the cruise ships gone and the souvenir stalls closed, the coronavirus lockdown has transformed La Serenissima’s waterways

Have you heard about other examples of wildlife and nature coming back to cities currently on strict quarantine due to the Coronavirus pandemic?

Here is a herd of goats that has started to visit a village in Wales that is currently under lockdown. With most humans staying indoors the goats can freely run on the deserted streets in the middle of the town centre and graze on trees and bushes. 

Too funny!