Urban Wildlife and Human-Animal Coexistence

Urban environments increasingly host diverse wildlife populations whose welfare depends on thoughtful human coexistence strategies.

Key Facts

Urban wildlife including foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and birds of prey are expanding into cities worldwide
Feeding urban wildlife creates dependency, concentrates disease risk, and leads to habituation causing conflict
Urban green spaces and wildlife corridors dramatically improve survival and welfare of urban animal populations
Vehicle strikes are a leading cause of urban wildlife mortality, particularly for hedgehogs, badgers, and deer
Light pollution disrupts navigation and circadian rhythms in birds, bats, insects, and sea turtles

Welfare Considerations

Urban environments present both opportunities and threats for wildlife welfare. Cities can support rich biodiversity through green infrastructure, wildlife-friendly gardens, and habitat connectivity. But urban hazards — roads, glass buildings, light pollution, and inappropriate feeding — cause significant individual harm. Thoughtful urban planning and resident behavior choices create cities where wildlife and humans genuinely coexist rather than merely collide.

What You Can Do

Make your garden wildlife-friendly with native plants, water sources, and shelter opportunities
Avoid feeding urban wildlife — provide habitat instead of food dependency
Use wildlife-friendly fencing with gaps allowing hedgehog and small mammal passage
Reduce outdoor lighting at night, particularly during migration seasons
Drive cautiously at dawn and dusk when urban wildlife activity peaks