The Coronavirus outbreak and California’s subsequent “shelter-in-place” mandate have left the typically bustling streets of San Francisco empty. As people stay inside to help curb the spread of the virus, wildlife is beginning to enjoy the unusually quiet streets of the city.

Coyotes sightings have spiked in recent days while the typically busy streets of San Francisco have slowed to a relative halt. Residents lucky enough to get out of their homes for a glimpse of sunlight have shared their experiences of coyote sightings on the empty streets:

Coyote on the streets of San Francisco during the coronavirus shelter in place order #mindblowing #wow pic.twitter.com/mz35HAe9ZM — manishkumar (@manishkumar457) March 23, 2020

La espectacular imagen de un coyote sobre el puente Golden Gate, en San Francisco. La llegada de animales salvajes a las ciudades desiertas es un hecho #COVID2019 #QuedateEnTuCasa #COVID19 #LugaresyMás pic.twitter.com/7rTpKbt7W2 — Lugares y Más (@_LugaresyMas) March 25, 2020

Coyote in Glen Canyon Park, San Francisco, March 2020 https://t.co/3X5S9qHsRR pic.twitter.com/NNf4yZeEhr — Bathtub Bulletin (@BathtubBulletin) March 25, 2020

I went for a walk for fresh air and a group of women called out to me. And omg, they had spotted a pack of sleeping coyotes in the middle of (usually busy) San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/NNdG3dcs2Q — Christina Farr (@chrissyfarr) March 20, 2020

While the spike in coyote sightings is unusual, it’s far from the first time coyotes have been spotted in the area. The were frequently seen around San Francisco in the mid-1900’s, but land owners used poison to scare them off for good. In 2002, a coyote was seen in the city for the first time in decades when someone spotted one in the Presidio. People speculate it traveled over the Golden Gate Bridge from Marin County to enter the coyt.

Now, coyotes are taking over the land that they once roamed freely. With a longer quarantine ahead, will we see more coyotes in San Francisco in the coming months?

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Reddit

Email

