Public perception of urban wildlife during a COVID-19 stay-at-home quarantine order in Chicago.

ABSTRACT: Reduced human activity to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by reports of unusual wildlife sightings in highly developed areas. Such experiences with urban nature may have helped residents cope with the stress of the pandemic and increased public interest in urban wildlife; however, this may depend on the species residents encountered. In this study, we surveyed Chicago, Illinois, USA residents during a stay-at-home order to understand if residents in more affluent or greener neighborhoods saw more wildlife species. We also evaluated whether encounters with pest and non-pest species were associated with residents' values about wildlife. Of 593 responses included in our analyses, respondents in higher-income and greener neighborhoods were more likely to perceive i

SUBMITTER: Murray MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9523173 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature