From wild boars to hyenas, many species of wildlife are being drawn to urban areas and thriving in major cities around the world.
Foxes
A fox wandering the streets in England. (Photo: BBC).
Every night, as dusk settles over cities throughout Europe, red foxes emerge from their hiding places and begin prowling the streets. Occasionally, they roam freely among pedestrians or rummage through trash bins. This adaptable omnivore seeks out natural foods such as berries and insects while also supplementing its diet with pigeons and leftovers from garbage bins.
Foxes have coexisted with humans for millennia. Today, they thrive in urban environments, with a density of 18 individuals per square kilometer in London alone. They are also found in American cities, particularly in the northeastern region.
Coyotes
Coyotes have become increasingly common in American cities in recent decades. These opportunistic scavengers are ready to eat anything, including mice, rabbits, frogs, lizards, and leftovers from garbage. A 2022 study analyzing the diet of coyotes in New York City found that they consume large mammals such as deer and raccoons, as well as human food like chicken, pork, and beef. Their flexible diet helps them adapt well to urban life. However, scientists warn that coyotes scavenging for human food could pose risks to humans, as they often carry parasites and harmful bacteria.
Seagulls
In coastal areas, seagulls are aggressive opportunistic feeders, invading cities and towns to snatch picnic food, barbecue leftovers, or even steal snacks off the streets. Declining fish stocks and habitat loss have driven seagulls to seek food elsewhere, including in cities and landfills. Over time, they have honed their skills in scavenging from trash bins or directly from humans, according to researcher Paul Graham from the University of Sussex, UK.
Wild Boars
Wild boar rummaging through trash in Teufelssee, Germany. (Photo: Ingolf König-Jablonski/dpa)
Despite their reclusive nature, the allure of suburban life has prompted wild boars to venture into the open. From the hills of Hong Kong to the beaches of Marbella in the Mediterranean, wild boars are foraging through waste. In Berlin, they have been known to sleep in inflatable pools. Wherever wild boars are found, local authorities or eradication teams often quickly follow their trail.
In the United States, wild boars are also considered an invasive species. With a population of approximately 6 million and growing, at least 35 states have reported sightings of wild boars. As a result, annual crop damage in the U.S., such as to peanuts and corn, is estimated at $2.5 billion.
Hyenas
Hyenas are notorious for their ferocity in the animal kingdom. However, these scavengers offer significant health and economic benefits to African cities, according to a 2021 study by the University of Michigan. In total, hyenas eliminate 207 tons of animal carcasses annually in Mekelle, a city in northern Ethiopia, preventing the spread of anthrax and bovine tuberculosis among residents, livestock, sheep, and goats. In the eastern Ethiopian city of Harar, they roam the streets at night, scavenging food and meat leftovers discarded by butchers.
Elephants
Elephants are often seen rummaging through trash in the suburbs of Kotdwar, a city in the northern Indian district of Uttarakhand. They explore waste with their trunks, occasionally pausing to devour any tasty morsels they find. Among the largest animals on the planet, they belong to the Asian elephant species. Kotdwar, a rapidly developing city with an estimated 45,000 residents, lies on the edge of a forest where elephant herds reside. As many urban areas expand near the forest, this development has unexpectedly provided elephants with a food source. Elephants near Kotdwar are particularly accustomed to scavenging. However, all their droppings contain plastic bags, food containers, or even disposable cutlery, according to a research team at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
A study on elephants foraging at a landfill in southern Sri Lanka found that they were in better condition than elephants that did not scavenge human waste. However, there are many reports of elephants gradually dying from consuming large amounts of plastic waste. Additionally, the risk of human-elephant conflict can lead to fatal consequences for both parties.
Bears
Grizzly bear roaming near houses in British Columbia, Canada. (Photo: CBC)
In the U.S., incidents involving bears approaching humans are becoming increasingly common. North American grizzly bears are typically found in the west, while black bears are widespread in forests across the country. They are extremely intelligent animals with a keen sense of smell and a voracious appetite, willing to travel long distances in search of food.
Most conflicts with bears occur when human food sources, such as garbage, dog food, or fruit trees, are available. Bears are often spotted breaking into homes to steal food. Although bear hunting is still permitted in some states, wildlife authorities are guiding communities on how to coexist peacefully with bears.
