FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Six years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, wildlife experts say the shutdown period brought unexpected benefits to Florida’s animals.
With fewer people driving and boating during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, marine life thrived in ways not seen before. WINK News reporter Brinkley Hill spoke with wildlife experts about how the pandemic helped the environment and what the state of wildlife looks like today.
While the human world shut down in March 2020, the animal realm kept moving.
“Down here, it was thriving,” said Rob Howell, a wildlife conservationist and Florida Fish and Wildlife volunteer.
Howell said the lack of human interaction really benefited the environment.
“Not a lot of manatee strikes that year,” Howell said. “Same with dolphins, not a lot of dolphin strikes, so the wildlife did great.”
Florida Fish and Wildlife statistics show that 2022 and 2023 had the fewest manatee deaths from boat collisions over the last five years. Deaths in 2021 were also low.
“Ranger Rob,” as he’s known to locals, said even though the pandemic is over, you can still preserve wildlife by following boating laws and keeping your distance.
“When you see wildlife, just be passively observant,” Howell said. “Watch them from a distance. Don’t go feed ’em, don’t go touch ’em. Don’t chase the birds, that kind of stuff.”
Howell also said keeping your distance and respecting animals in their environment can lead to more fulfilling interactions for boaters and others out enjoying the water.