Are Wild Animals Becoming More Aggressive During The Pandemic?

Over the past two months or so, many of us have been staying at home due to the coronavirus, and that means the streets of towns and cities are much quieter.

With a lot less people and vehicles out, has the increased emptiness invited wild animals the courage to venture past their boundaries and roam a bit closer to areas normally populated by humans and their motorized vehicles?

According to cbsnews.com, the answer looks like it's a possibility. They report that The CDC has noted rats have become much more aggressive in areas around restaurants which may be closed or just offering take-out services. Some cities around the country are seeing in increase in rodent aggressiveness.

But I wonder if it's more than just rats that are becoming more aggressive. recently the Vestal Police commented on several reports of bears in the neighborhood. Not sure if that's normal at this time of year or if it has anything to do with less people and vehicles.

At my campground, I've noticed the chipmunks becoming less afraid. Over the past weekend, while I was sitting on my desk, a chipmunk came within inches of me several times. I've never seen them approach me so close.

I wonder if the deer population is doing the same? I've seen a few deer close to the road lately in my travels through New York and Pennsylvania roadways and unfortunately, some who had been hit by a vehicle.

And don't get me started on squirrels. They are already aggressive enough. At home, they terrorize my dogs, and at camp, they have destroyed my bird feeders and even chewed through a thick, solid storage bench, leaving a nice big hole at the top where rain and snow gets in and ruins everything inside.

via cbsnews.com and The CDC