Urban Wildlife
Redefining Coexistence in Modern Cities
A warm welcome to all our readers for the second episode of Season 1! We know that it has been a while since the first episode(here’s the link and, we highly recommend giving it a read) but the good news is— we are back! with another exciting yet extremely crucial discussion on the dynamics of urban life. In episode 2 we’ll be diving into the intriguing world of Urban Wildlife—a concept that reshapes how we think about cities and nature.
Are We Even Aware of Urban Wildlife?
As we continue with our exploration on the concept of urban wildlife, a concerning question comes to mind: Are we really aware of the urban wildlife around us? A recent literature review highlighted—many people engaged in nature based recreational activities have little to no awareness of their impact on urban wildlife. In fact the study showed 43% of surveyed individuals were unaware that their actions were disturbing local ecosystems.
The above image serves as a testament to the majority of the respondents being unaware of their disturbing impact on wildlife. One might wonder, why such a lack of awareness?—Well, the gap in awareness about human impacts on wildlife, particularly in urban spaces, stems from several interrelated factors. Let’s take a look at these factors, shall we?
Why this Gap in Awareness?
You would be stunned to learn the very simple yet often overlooked reasons behind this unawareness. Let’s begin with the most basic reason:
Lack of knowledge about the concept of urban wildlife
To eliminate the gap in awareness, we need to educate ourselves about the intricacies of urban wildlife. Becoming familiar with the concept will only help us recognize our disturbing impacts on wildlife— impacts we might otherwise continue to contribute to inadvertently.
Now the most obvious question that might arise is, “What is urban wildlife?” To answer this question, we decided to take an interesting approach instead of boring you all with just words.
The purpose of this illustrated information map is to introduce the concept of urban wildlife and highlight some intriguing facts about the animals that thrive around us. By presenting information visually, we aim to bring readers closer to an awareness of their surroundings. Each “Did You Know?” box act as eye-openers, revealing surprising facts that often escape our attention. This lack of awareness is one of the main reasons why urban wildlife goes unnoticed.
The infographic above captures an ideal representation of urban wildlife, showcasing how a diverse range of native and non-native species inhabit and adapt to urban environments—such as cities, towns, and suburb alongside human populations.
Research gaps that lead to wildlife biases
Have you ever Googled “What is Urban Wildlife?” The results are strikingly narrow, spotlighting mammals and birds while sidelining insects as “pests.” Why does this happen? Research bias. In 348 studies on urban wildlife analyzed by Springer Nature, only six focused on arthropods.
The “charismatic megafauna (large animals)” are easier for people to connect with emotionally, which helps garner conservation support. They draw attention and conservation funding, but at a cost. Critical yet overlooked organism, like insects struggle for recognition. Such an attitude can only be disadvantageous to the mankind since, they are essential for ecosystem functions like pollination and nutrient cycling.
To adopt a more holistic approach and promote inclusivity, we can look at a promising example: the German Wildlife Foundation, which uses bumblebees as their flagship species. Choosing bumblebees as a flagship species is a progressive step toward conserving an endangered insect that, while occasionally perceived as a threat, plays a crucial role in improving our lives every day.
Invisible or subtle impacts
When we delve into the understanding of their world, as we just did, we begin to uncover the hidden threads connecting our lives with those of wild animals. These creatures, though often invisible in our daily routines, are deeply impacted by human actions that may seem harmless at first glance. Subtle disturbances—like the persistent glow of city lights or the muffled roar of distant highways—can disrupt their natural rhythms in ways we rarely notice.
Unlike the glaring issues of deforestation or pollution, these effects are gradual, like shadows spreading silently over time. But by expanding our awareness, we can start to recognize these quiet impacts, allowing us to coexist more mindfully with the natural world around us.
Talking about silent yet heavy disturbances on wildlife, let's take a look into a wonderfully curated video on how light pollution is a major source behind rapid decline in the population of sea turtle.
This video takes us to the beach of Florida where sea turtles are struggling to adapt to their nesting and hatching behaviour due to artificial light on the beaches, leading to deadly consequences for this ancient creature. Fortunately, The Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) has come up with a bold solution: “Keep it low, Keep it shielded, Keep it long.”
Their approach of retrofitting lights in turtle-friendly fixtures, has helped reduce about 100% of disorientation rate in some of the areas. This initiative reminds us how even small changes in human behavior can make a big difference in protecting our planet’s most vulnerable species.
Rapid urbanization
Of course, how can we miss the fact that rapid urbanization has taken a toll on us? It has distant us from our roots—nature. Earlier people embraces practices that kept them deeply connected to the earth: walking bare foot, sleeping and sitting on the floor, growing their own food, etc. Fast forward today, and the story has changed dramatically— we have stereotyped all the habits that once helped us stay connected to our roots.
These habits weren’t merely lifestyle choices; they were ways of grounding oneself, stimulating the senses, and fostering awareness of the natural world. Our preferences have shifted from staying “down to earth” to “touching the sky” with skyscrapers, highways and concrete jungles taking precedence. This shift has not only altered our environment but also our perception of wildlife, which was once an integral part of our daily lives.
However, understanding the importance of our attitude towards wildlife will ensure an inclusive urban plan.
A recent study published in the Journal of Urban Ecology by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the University of Jena and the Vienna University of Technology reveal that city residents’ acceptance varies greatly based on the species and their proximity to the homes. The researchers conducted a survey to find out how Munich residents rate 32 urban animal species and where in the city they would prefer to see them. Squirrels and ladybugs are widely loved, while, cockroaches, rats, and slugs are least popular.
Residents prefer most of the animals in or general urban spaces rather than in their immediate surroundings like gardens or balconies. These insights are importance, as according to Prof. Wolfgang Weisser, head of the Chair of Terrestrial Ecology, “Increasing urbanization makes it necessary to actively care for animals in the city and to design urban development accordingly. If we know where people prefer or dislike certain animals, we can anticipate potential points of conflict. This allows us to identify places where species conservation in cities is accepted by people.”
We are definitely going to reflect more on this aspect later in the newsletter, but for now, it’s crucial to recognize that thoughtful planning can promote biodiversity while striking a perfect balance to minimize human-wildlife conflict.
It seems that the reasons behind our lack of awareness about the impact of human activities on wildlife seem endless. In fact we have explored many key contributors, under more broader and critical categories. We believe, after an in length discussion on the factors, a natural question might arise, “What exactly are these human-induced activities that are bothering the wildlife?”
If this question has crossed your minds, let me tell me you that— fair enough, it’s a very relevant question. To answer this question lets dive into the next portion.
What exactly are the human-induced activities that affect the wildlife?
To understand this, we will compile our discussion around an article recently published by PBS (Public Broadcast Service) as a part of their show Evolution Earth. The article begins with a very moving speech by Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton, an Evolutionary Biologist. According to him, “We’re impacting every corner of the globe in some way…Even the farthest, most uninhabited reaches of our globe are not safe from our influence. In fact, the current age of life is literally defined by our influence on the planet: The Anthropocene — The Age of Humans.”
With this let us directly jump into a brief overview on the impacts that has been deduced in the article.
Human Impact #1: Climate Change
We’ve long known about the links between carbon dioxide emissions and rising global temperatures. But climate change doesn’t just affect glaciers and sea levels—it transforms the lives of countless species trying to adapt.
Edith’s Checkerspot Butterfly: A Lesson in Resilience— The Edith’s checkerspot butterfly, once confined to narrow habitats, is moving to cooler, higher-altitude regions to survive rising temperatures. While some populations thrive in these new environments, others in hotter areas face local extinction due to heatwaves and droughts. These butterflies offer us a valuable lesson: not all species can adapt to climate change at the same pace. The ongoing challenge is to protect diverse habitats to ensure species survival.
Human Impact #2: Invasive Species
Invasive species, often spread by human activity, disrupt ecosystems by competing with native species for resources or preying on them. These unintentional “alien invaders” wreak havoc on delicate balances in nature.
Pacific Field Cricket: Evolution at Lightning Speed— On the Hawaiian Islands, the Pacific field cricket has evolved a unique survival strategy. To avoid parasitic flies attracted to their mating calls, male crickets developed a mutation that makes them silent. While this helps them survive, it alters their role in the ecosystem, affecting food webs and other species reliant on them. This case study reminds us that while species can adapt to human-induced changes, such adaptations come with trade-offs that may disrupt ecosystems.
Human Impact #3: Habitat Destruction
As cities expand and forests shrink, natural habitats are being degraded, fragmented, or destroyed altogether. This loss displaces species and disrupts ecosystems, forcing wildlife to adapt—or perish.
Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds: The Cost of Early Springs— In the Colorado Rockies, broad-tailed hummingbirds rely on glacier lilies for food during breeding season. However, warmer springs are causing lilies to bloom weeks earlier, leaving the birds without food when they arrive. With their breeding cycles disrupted, these birds face an uncertain future. This example highlights the need for better habitat preservation to prevent such mismatches in the natural world.
As Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton says, “No species is an island unto itself.” Every creature depends on a functioning ecosystem. While human actions have disrupted this balance, we also have the power to restore it.
India’s Urban Wildlife: Are We Losing the Battle for Coexistence?
With this, it’s time for us to return back to the pavilion— our land— India. The purpose of this virtual journey around the globe was to gain a well rounded understanding of urban wildlife conditions worldwide, allowing us to compare them with the situation in India. As is well known by now, Roots to Roof’s primary focus is to paint a picture of better future for India and its people. Therefore, by discussing and drawing inspiration from foreign lands, we can shape our cities— and, in turn, our future— more effectively.
Case Study #1: Wildlife Crime
Considering the fact that India has one of richest bio diversities, hosting 7-8% of the world’s species, is under siege. An article notes that despite the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972, poaching and trafficking of wildlife continue to endanger native species. From pangolins and turtles to elephants and tigershas been exploited on massive scale.
Interestingly, many species we consider ‘forest animals’ are actually urban dwellers. To end this misconception, conservation biologist, Murthy Kantimahanti, who is working on Vizag’s urban wildlife, highlights some of the animals found in the urban jungle of the city. He mentions species like the fishing cat, Indian pangolin, barking deer, and the Indian leopard, along with reptiles like venomous snakes and the bamboo pit viper. The coastline supports Olive Ridley and hawksbill turtles, while serving as a feeding ground for green sea turtles.
According to the reports of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau(WCCB) and National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB), from 2014 to 2021, wildlife crime cases were most concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan topping the list.
The numbers are staggering:
In 2016, 50 tigers were poached, the highest in a decade.
Between 2015 and 2016, 37,267 turtles were seized, averaging 100 per day.
From 2018 to 2020, over 2,000 cases were registered, leading to nearly 4,000 arrests.
Case Study #2: Urban Wildlife in Bengaluru
The WWF Living Planet Report 2020 paints a stark picture of biodiversity loss globally, with observations from Bengaluru serving as a compelling local case study. Once thriving with wetland birds, Bengaluru’s lakes have seen over a 70% decline in native and migratory species over the past 30 years. Lakes that were once part of suburban landscapes are now surrounded by IT hubs and residential complexes, reflecting the rapid urbanization and its toll on wildlife.
The report highlights an emerging overlap between wilderness and urban systems. Changes in forests, grasslands, rivers, and seas now mirror the ecological disruptions within cities. Urbanization, agriculture, and mining have created ecosystems where human density and activities dictate the survival of wildlife.
Key to this shift is the perception of “community.” In most urban settings, nature—plants, animals, air, soil—is excluded from the concept of community living. This disconnect leads to neglect of wildlife habitats and ecosystems. However, as the report suggests, communities that embrace wildlife conservation experience healthier and more prosperous environments, emphasizing the need for well-managed lakes, semi-wild green spaces, and wildlife-friendly zones.
Over the years though many animals have learned to cope with the urban surrounding, they are still facing several challenges due to human activities. However we can breathe a sigh of relief due to tireless effort of associations like PfA(People for Animals) Wildlife. Their hospital have rescued and treated over 26000 injured, orphaned, and displaced animals.
Case Study #3: The Indian Gaur in Pune – Lessons for Coexistence
In December 2022, Pune witnessed two encounters with stray Indian gaur (bison), shedding light on the challenges of managing human-wildlife interactions in urban areas. The first incident on December 9 ended in tragedy when a young gaur died from capture myopathy, a condition caused by extreme stress during chaotic rescue operations in a residential neighborhood. A lack of preparedness, including insufficient tranquilizer guns and specialized barricades, delayed the rescue.
Adding to the confusion were crowds of onlookers and live media broadcasts, which stressed the animal further and disrupted the operation. By contrast, the second incident on December 22 saw a more coordinated effort where the gaur was carefully guided back to its habitat, highlighting the benefits of improved planning and execution.
Experts point to habitat destruction and shrinking wildlife corridors as the root causes of such conflicts. As development continues to encroach upon natural habitats, animals are left with no choice but to wander into human settlements in search of resources. Biodiversity expert Sachin Punekar aptly stated, “Instead of being in conflict, we have to coexist and cohabit with gaur. There’s no other way.”
Case Study #4: The Perils of Urban Life for Wildlife
As highlighted by Wildlife SOS, these animals face dangers like road accidents, electrocution, and exposure to harmful urban waste. Dependency on human activities further disrupts their natural instincts. For instance, feeding large animals like rhesus macaques and nilgais might seem harmless, but it fosters dangerous reliance and behavioral changes, pulling them further away from their natural habitats.
This dependency is a direct consequence of our actions—deforestation, habitat encroachment, and improper waste management. Scavenging on urban garbage filled with plastics and toxins jeopardizes their health and survival. For example, bears scavenging tourist waste in Sonamarg have developed obesity and health issues, while animals like Sebastian, a brown bear, repeatedly returned to human settlements even after relocation, highlighting how our actions strain wildlife from their natural habitats.
While small feeders for birds can offer seasonal support, feeding larger animals like nilgais or monkeys encourages reliance and behavioral changes, making coexistence even more challenging. Improper waste disposal compounds the issue, with wildlife consuming harmful toxins like plastics and pesticides. As highlighted by Wildlife SOS, it’s critical to address these problems through better waste management and by fostering environments that allow wildlife to thrive naturally, ensuring we don’t unintentionally alienate them from their wild origins.
Is There Still A Ray of Hope?
Yes, there is. We have already stated how, due to some NGOs and associations, we can breathe a sigh of relief. But there is more to be optimistic about—many inspiring initiatives are carving paths to sustainable coexistence. These efforts showcase how conservation can thrive even in urban landscapes, driven by passionate individuals and organized strategies.
In Bengaluru, the Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre (ARRC), spearheaded by Jayanthi Kallam, has become a haven for injured and displaced urban wildlife. ARRC rescues about 90 species, including black kites and pelicans, facilitating over 6,200 rescues annually. Their work exemplifies how awareness campaigns and ethical rehabilitation can bridge the gap between humans and urban wildlife.
Similarly, grassroots efforts like The Turning Tide in Mumbai, led by George Remedios, have revitalized the city’s lost green spaces by planting food forests. These patches of greenery invite wildlife back and also combat urban heat islands, providing both ecological and human benefits.
Chennai's Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN) has demonstrated a deep commitment to protecting Olive Ridley turtles, releasing over 80,000 hatchlings in 15 years. This effort not only preserves marine biodiversity but also fosters community involvement, emphasizing how local populations can become stewards of conservation.
But perhaps the most heartwarming stories come from individual conservationists like Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammed Saud, who have rehabilitated over 43,000 birds of prey in Delhi. The brothers are internationally recognised now as a documentary based on their work, ‘All that breathes’, by Shaunak Sen has been doing the rounds of various international film festival Their dedication, despite financial constraints, highlights how small efforts can ripple into large impacts.
Stories of resilience, like that of a turtle circling a rescue boat before swimming away or a Himalayan bear named Sebastian finally finding sanctuary, remind us that even amid urban chaos, coexistence is possible.
How to Design Wildlife-Inclusive Cities?
As we proceed towards the end of our exploration of urban wildlife, one recurring question remains unanswered: “How can we coexist peacefully with wildlife?” To design an inclusive city model, we have decided to use an infographic showcasing all the strategies explicitly.
Apart from all these collective efforts, as individuals, we also have important roles to play in coexisting with wildlife. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, here are the essential steps we need to follow earnestly:
Respect their space: While wildlife may appear cute or harmless, it’s vital to keep a safe distance to ensure both our safety and theirs.
Avoid feeding them: Feeding wildlife can cause dependency and disrupt their natural behaviors. Instead, support them with natural food sources, like bird feeders or native plants.
Protect their habitats: Conserve green spaces, use eco-friendly practices, and avoid harmful chemicals in our gardens to help urban wildlife thrive.
Don’t trap or relocate: Relocating animals disrupts their survival. If an animal is in distress, contact a local wildlife rescue or rehabilitation center.
Educate yourself and others: Learn about local wildlife and share your knowledge to build empathy and responsible actions within your community.
Report sightings: Notify local wildlife management services about any animal sightings to ensure proper care.
Engage in conservation: Actively participate in conservation efforts and advocate for wildlife protection in urban development plans.
By following these steps, we can contribute to a harmonious coexistence with the wildlife in our cities.
Way Forward!
As we wrap up our exploration of urban wildlife, it’s clear that we’ve only scratched the surface of a crucial issue that impacts us all. Roots to Roof has aimed to shed light on the delicate balance between urban development and the creatures that call these spaces home. While the journey we’ve taken through statistics, case studies, and strategies for a wildlife-inclusive city has been eye-opening, the real question remains—have we inspired you all to engage actively in saving our fellow “neighbours”?
If the answer is no, we believe this last example will leave an indelible mark. In Delhi, where human-wildlife conflicts are increasingly common, the first urban wildlife corridor is being created, linking the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary with green corridors and underpasses to give leopards and other animals safe passage. Amit Anand, Deputy Conservator of Forests, notes, “The road cuts through the leopard corridor... We have to find a solution.”
This initiative aims to reduce roadkill, ease human-animal conflicts, and serve as a model for other cities. Roots to Roof has tried to spark an important conversation, but now it’s time for action. Our real “neighbours” aren’t just humans—they’re the wildlife sharing our spaces. Let’s act to ensure they thrive with us.
Concluding Quote
“শত্রু মিত্র যে যাই থাকুক
বনেই সবার বাস
মানুষ যদি বন যে কাটে
তাতেই ওদের নাশ
গাড়ির চাকা কলের চাকা
ঘোরাই যত বেশী
বনের তত পশু-পাখি
হবে অনাবাসী”
~তারিক মল্লিক
Translation:
“Friend or foe, whatever they may be,
The forest is home for all, you see.
When humans cut down the woods so vast,
It brings their doom—how long can they last?
Wheels of cars, the churn of machines,
The more we turn, the more it means,
The creatures of the forest, winged and wild,
Will lose their homes, their fate defiled.”
~Tarik Mallik