The coronavirus pandemic that has caused the human race largely to retreat inside their homes is creating a new world for animals, both in the wild and in controlled places like zoos.

Herds, schools and flocks of animals are making the most of their new-found freedom.

No customers means adventure time for zoo talent

Social distancing restrictions have put a stop to zoos trading in many countries.

Without their fans to keep them company, animals — and their keepers — have sought new ways to pass the time.

Noemie the camel has taken to exploring the famous ZSL London Zoo.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 54 seconds 1 m 54 s Zookeeper takes Noemie the camel for her regular walk around London zoo

Noemie is taken on walks though the facility, given a rare opportunity to meet some of her neighbours for the first time.

The zoo has 18,000 animals, which are now cared for by a skeleton staff, according to workers.

Dolphins spotted in Istanbul

The most populous city in Turkey has welcomed dolphins back into its waterways.

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Marine pollution and traffic usually dissuades the dolphins from travelling up the Bosporus, a narrow waterway that runs past Istanbul.

Elephants move in when traffic moves out

An image (at top) taken by the Associated Press has revealed a herd of elephants grazing near what was once a busy road in India.

The photographer said traffic at a nearby road — in Malakkappara, Thrissur district, in the southern Indian state of Kerala — had all but ceased, due to the coronavirus lockdown.

This has resulted in wild elephants moving closer to human habitations than they have in a long time.

Deer in search for food in Japan

In the Japanese city of Nara, east of Osaka, one of the main food sources for its deer population has disappeared — the humans visitors coming to hand-feed them.

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So, the proactive deer have been seen roaming the inner-city streets, looking for people who will give them food.

Marlie treks Taronga Zoo

In Australia, Marlie the sea lion has taken advantage of the peace and quiet at Taronga Zoo to leave her enclosure.

Accompanied by a keeper, she moved surprisingly fast during a stroll on land for an animal more at home in the water.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 12 seconds 12 s Malie the sea lion was taken out on a walk at Taronga Zoo earlier this month

Chilean chicks join their American mates

Denver Zoo in the United States has embraced different animals interacting during the coronavirus pandemic.

A video posted on the zoo's Twitter account showed a pair of their Chilean chicks mingling with other birds.

They take a long walk through the zoo, stopping off to meet the penguins at their enclosure.

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All they needed was some alone time

Giant pandas Le Le (R) and Ying Ying started spending more time together towards the end of March (file photo). ( Reuters: Tyrone Siu )

Maybe the most popular animal story to come out of coronavirus has been the successful mating of Ying Ying and Le Le.

The pandas have been in Hong Kong since 2007, and several attempts have been made since 2010 to have them naturally mate.

It seems all the love-couple needed for nature to take its course was for everyone else to leave the room.

It should be known by August if their efforts to mate are successful.

Beautiful Venice is beautiful again

Seemingly one of the biggest winners of the lockdown is the marine life of one of Italy's most famous cities.

The canals of Venice have hosted renewed marine life since the usual clusters of ships and boats stopped.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 55 seconds 55 s Venice canals clear and pollution free due to COVID-19

Skippy roams the streets of Adelaide

The hackneyed stereotype that kangaroos roam the streets of Australian cities has been the source of humour for foreigners.

But it became a reality in Adelaide in April.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 42 seconds 42 s Kangaroo hops through empty streets in Adelaide

The CCTV footage spotted this roo bounding along King William Rd.