July 31, 2025 – A landmark international study published today reveals compelling evidence that wild animals are systematically and temporarily reclaiming human-dominated landscapes during tourist off-seasons, exhibiting behaviors previously thought to be suppressed by human activity. The five-year research project, led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), utilized a global network of camera traps, GPS trackers, and acoustic sensors to demonstrate that this phenomenon, first widely observed during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, is a recurring and predictable pattern with significant implications for conservation and wildlife management.
The comprehensive report, titled “The Seasonal Anthropause: Wildlife Responses to Fluctuations in Human Presence,” analyzed data from over 25 protected areas and tourist hotspots across four continents. The findings confirm that from the coastal trails of Italy to the mountains of North America, many species are rapidly expanding their territories and altering their daily routines to exploit the temporary quiet, offering scientists a powerful new lens through which to understand animal adaptability and the true cost of our constant presence.
A Deeper Look at the “Echo” of the Anthropause
The study moves beyond the anecdotal observations of the COVID-19 era, providing robust, quantitative data on the behavior of wild animals during off-seasons. Researchers found that the absence of human crowds creates what they term a “seasonal vacuum,” which wildlife readily fills. This is not simply a case of animals being seen more often; it is a fundamental shift in their use of space and time.
“What we are witnessing is a powerful ecological echo,” explains Dr. Lena Petrova, a conservation biologist at the IUCN and the lead author of the study. “During the global lockdowns, we saw a one-time, large-scale event. Our research confirms that this wasn’t an anomaly. It’s a recurring cycle. Wherever and whenever human pressure subsides, nature demonstrates a remarkable capacity to bounce back, even if only for a few months. This seasonal ebb and flow is creating predictable windows of opportunity for many species.”
The data collected by the Global Anthropause Ecology Project (GAEP), the research body behind the report, is striking. Key findings include:
- Territorial Expansion: GPS tracking data from carnivores like coyotes in North America and red foxes in Europe showed an average territorial range expansion of 40% into human-adjacent zones, such as park boundaries and golf courses, during the low tourist season.
- Shift in Activity Patterns: Typically nocturnal species were observed becoming more diurnal (active during the day). For example, camera traps in Thailand’s national parks captured clouded leopards, usually elusive and nocturnal, active in the late afternoon on trails typically bustling with hikers. The study documented a 25% increase in daytime activity for several key predator species.
- Increased Sightings: In traditionally high-traffic areas, direct sightings and camera trap captures of large mammals increased by an average of 60%. This indicates animals are not only present but are also more confident in using these spaces openly.
“These numbers go beyond simple curiosity,” Dr. Petrova emphasizes. “They represent animals accessing new food sources, finding safer travel corridors, and reducing stress levels. For them, the off-season is a period of vital resource replenishment and recovery from the pressures of constant human interaction.”
From Italian Cliffs to Canadian Rockies: A Global Phenomenon
The study’s strength lies in its diverse set of case studies, which illustrate how this pattern of wildlife reclaiming spaces during off-seasons manifests in different ecosystems around the world.
In Italy’s Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for extreme summer tourism, park rangers have observed profound changes. “From November to February, the trails are quiet,” says Marco Rossi, a senior park ranger who collaborated with the GAEP research team. “We now have camera trap footage of wild boar and their young foraging directly on the main coastal path at midday. Ten years ago, you would never see that. They were confined to the densest, most remote parts of the park. It’s as if they have an internal calendar that tells them when it is safe to come out.”
Similarly, in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, the study used acoustic sensors to monitor the soundscape. Researchers found that the drastic reduction in traffic noise during the “shoulder seasons” of late fall and early spring correlated with GPS data showing grizzly bears using valley bottoms and areas near the highway more frequently.
“A highway corridor is a ‘landscape of fear’ for most animals, primarily due to the noise and constant motion,” states Dr. David Chen, a wildlife behavior specialist at the University of California, Berkeley, who was not involved in the study but reviewed its findings. “The GAEP report provides concrete evidence that when you reduce the sensory disturbance—the noise—animals perceive the area as less threatening. They are making a calculated risk assessment and, in the off-season, the calculation changes in their favor. This is a clear demonstration of their behavioral plasticity.”
The phenomenon is not limited to mammals. In coastal regions of Costa Rica, researchers noted that olive ridley sea turtles were expanding their nesting sites onto beaches that are typically dominated by resorts and tourists during the peak dry season. The quieter, darker beaches of the rainy off-season have become newly viable nesting grounds, potentially aiding the recovery of local populations.
The Science of Silence: Understanding the Mechanism
At the heart of the study is the question of why this reclamation happens so quickly and consistently. Experts point to the removal of multiple human-induced stressors that create invisible barriers for wildlife.
“Humans exert a constant, low-level pressure that we often don’t even perceive,” Dr. Chen explains. “It’s the smell of our sunscreens and food, the sound of our voices and vehicles, and our physical presence. For a wild animal with senses honed for survival, we are a persistent and unpredictable threat. When that threat is removed, even temporarily, it opens up a world of possibilities.”
The GAEP team used an array of non-invasive technologies to track these changes without disturbing the animals. Solar-powered camera traps equipped with motion sensors provided round-the-clock surveillance, while bio-acoustic recorders captured the changing soundscape. For larger animals, advanced GPS collars transmitted location data in near-real time, allowing researchers to map their movements with incredible precision.
“This isn’t about animals ‘invading’ our spaces,” notes Dr. Petrova. “It’s about them re-occupying habitats from which they were displaced. The study shows that many areas we consider purely for human recreation are, in fact, critical wildlife habitats that animals are simply waiting to use.”
Implications for Conservation and Coexistence
The findings of the “Seasonal Anthropause” report have profound implications for how we manage protected areas and tourism. While the return of wildlife is a positive sign of ecosystem resilience, it also presents new challenges.
One major concern is the potential for increased human-wildlife conflict. If animals grow accustomed to using human-centric areas during the off-season, the sudden return of tourists could lead to negative encounters. A bear that has learned a picnic area is a safe foraging ground in April may not readily abandon it in June when the crowds return.
“This is the critical management question,” says Dr. Petrova. “Our findings are not an argument against tourism, which is vital for the economies of many of these areas and often funds the conservation work itself. Instead, it’s a call for smarter tourism. Perhaps we need to think about managed ‘rest periods’ for certain sensitive areas, or do more to educate tourists who arrive at the start of the high season that wildlife may be more present than they expect.”
Conservationists suggest that park management could use this predictable pattern to their advantage. For example, controlled burns or habitat restoration projects could be scheduled during the high season when animals have naturally retreated to more remote areas. Similarly, public awareness campaigns can be timed to coincide with the start of the tourist season, reminding visitors to be extra vigilant about food storage and maintaining a safe distance from wildlife.
A New Baseline for a Crowded Planet
Ultimately, the GAEP study serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive and constant impact of human presence on the natural world. The behavior of wild animals during off-seasons provides a new, dynamic baseline for understanding how ecosystems function in our absence.
“For decades, we’ve studied wildlife in a world that is always ‘on’ from a human perspective,” concludes Dr. Chen. “This research gives us a glimpse of what a quieter world looks like, and how nature responds to it. It proves that wildlife is incredibly resilient and adaptable, waiting at the margins for an opportunity.”
As the world continues to grapple with balancing human needs and environmental preservation, the seasonal reclamation of space by wild animals offers a crucial lesson: nature is always ready to return. The challenge now is to learn how to share these spaces more thoughtfully, ensuring that both humans and wildlife can thrive.
