Behaving really differently': Humans alter wildlife behavior simply by being present

Humans' presence appears to influence wildlife space use, a finding highlighted by a new study. Researchers combined cellphone location data with GPS records from more than 4,500 birds and mammals across 37 species in the United States, aiming to separate habitat changes from the mere presence of people. The work, part of the COVID-19 Bio-Logging Initiative, examined the pandemic-era anthropause when movement slowed. For about two-thirds of the species studied, human presence altered either the area used or the habitats occupied. Elk and mule deer ranged more widely when people disappeared, while coyotes, moose and wild turkeys used smaller areas as presence increased; gray wolves traveled farther to avoid people.