LA’s skies are smog-free and peacocks are roaming the streets of Dubai. Photos show how nature has returned to cities shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.

• Aside from slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, social distancing has had the unintended side effect of reducing pollution and replenishing wildlife across the globe.
• Several cities have seen a reduction in air pollution, while mountain goats overran one Welsh town as people stay indoors.
• The coronavirus has infected over 2.4 million and killed more than 165,000, with over 40,000 deaths in the US.
• Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Social distancing might not just slow the spread of the novel coronavirus – it might also give the environment a break from the pollution of modern life.

Cities across the globe have reported reductions in air pollution as daily life has come to a grinding halt because of the pandemic. Governments around the world have asked people to practice social distancing (or mandated nationwide lockdown measures) to slow its spread.

Keep reading to see how urban environments have changed amid the coronavirus crisis.

Skies are free of smog in some parts of China …

Source: Business Insider

… and in Los Angeles.

Italy’s air quality has also improved.

Source: Insider

So has the air quality in major cities like New York City, Seattle, and San Francisco as shelter-in-place orders have dramatically reduced car travel.

Source: NBC News

With less boat traffic, the water in Venice’s canals is clear instead of its usual murky green color.

Source: Insider

You can see straight to the bottom, and fish have returned to some parts.

Source: Insider

Goats roamed the streets, sunbathed on the grounds of a church, nibbled hedges, and trespassed through a few gardens in one Welsh town as human pedestrians stayed home to practice social distancing.

Source: Insider

Wild turkeys were spotted having some fun on a closed elementary school playground in California.

Source: The Guardian

Deer have been spotted hanging out in streets and subway stations in Japan.

Source: The Guardian

And Barcelona residents say they have seen wild boars wander their streets.

Source: The Guardian

Ducks wandered into the streets of Paris in the fourth week of a national lockdown in France.

Source: Getty Images

A peacock was also spotted outside a deserted shopping center in Dubai.

Source: Getty Images

Cows took over a beach usually frequented by tourists in Corsica, France.

Source: Getty Images

This young puma wandered from the mountains outside Santiago, Chile, into the streets while looking for food.

Source: Getty Images

Londoners also spotted a wild fox in their streets.

Source: Getty Images