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If you live in a bustling and grey metropolis, you can spend entire days without meaningfully interacting with nature. However, if you slow down to appreciate your surroundings, you’re lucky enough to live in the suburbs or the countryside, or you take a trip out of town, you realize just how much biodiversity is around you.
Our animal-loving team at Bored Panda has traveled all over the internet to bring you some of the most wholesome wildlife encounters that took people completely by surprise. Scroll down to see some heart-warming photos, upvote the ones you loved the most, and consider what you can do to help your local wildlife conservation charities.

#1

This Little Guy Started Hanging Around My Brother While He Was Working On A Car. I Believe It’s An American Kestrel. Which Means My Brother Made Friends With A Falcon

This Little Guy Started Hanging Around My Brother While He Was Working On A Car. I Believe It’s An American Kestrel. Which Means My Brother Made Friends With A Falcon

AdolescentAlien Report

#3

Urban Fox Doing A Full Sploot In My Sunny Scottish Garden

Urban Fox Doing A Full Sploot In My Sunny Scottish Garden

oscarx-ray Report

The amount of biodiversity around us is incredible. Even if you live in a primarily urban environment, you’ll still encounter lots of different bugs and insects, different types of birds (not just pigeons!), probably rats, as well as stray dogs and cats.

If there are any parks or wooded areas in between your local skyscrapers, the odds are that you might also spot some squirrels, foxes, and raccoons. Of course, the specific animals you encounter are going to depend heavily on what part of the world you’re in!

#4

The Neighborhood Fox And Her Kits Are Living Under My Front Deck Right Now

The Neighborhood Fox And Her Kits Are Living Under My Front Deck Right Now

cyberentomology Report

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Anxiousguest
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mom looks like saying "do you see what I'm dealing with on daily basis??!!"

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#5

Bird Sitting On Its Own Info Board

Bird Sitting On Its Own Info Board

Yoskeh Report

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If you live further away from the city center and you’re surrounded by more and more untouched nature, the animals you encounter are also going to be more varied. You might encounter entire groups of deer, different species of birds, insects, and amphibians.

If you’re living really remotely, you may even find some larger animals paying you a visit. Imagine drinking your first cup of morning coffee only to see a bear or a wolf walking past your front porch!

#7

Mountain Lions Moving Back Into Boulder During Lockdown

Mountain Lions Moving Back Into Boulder During Lockdown

clicktosave Report

#8

The Stray Cat I’m Feeding Has Made Friends With A Hedgehog

The Stray Cat I’m Feeding Has Made Friends With A Hedgehog

piggledy Report

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However, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. As people expand their urban environments, they massively affect the local wildlife population. Suddenly, animals are forced to flee their homes or look in other areas for food. Some fail to adapt altogether. Others are forced to change their entire behavior not only to survive but to thrive around people. (E.g., think of how wild raccoons live vs. suburban raccoons stealing food from trash cans.)

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#10

Not A Creature Was Stirring, All Through The House - Except For This Mouse Living In Our Christmas Tree, Apparently

Not A Creature Was Stirring, All Through The House - Except For This Mouse Living In Our Christmas Tree, Apparently

Wolferesque Report

#11

So This Happened To Me Today

So This Happened To Me Today

acnh_nanaland Report

#12

Friend's Mom Nearly Had A Heart Attack When She Looked Out The Back Window This Morning

Friend's Mom Nearly Had A Heart Attack When She Looked Out The Back Window This Morning

downwarddawg Report

Earth.org, reporting on the data collected by the World Wildlife Fund, notes that the most endangered animal in the world is the Amur Leopard. Between 2014 and 2015, barely 92 individuals were left in the world.

Now, this number is even lower, standing at a mere 84. These leopards are at risk mainly due to poachers who value their coats and boats to be sold to Asian medicine practitioners. Natural fires, as well as those caused by people, also destroy their habitats. Meanwhile, the changing climate means that they have less prey to catch.

#13

Baby Skunk, Which My Son Found In The Driveway, Fell Asleep In My Hand Yesterday As I Returned It To Its Burrow

Baby Skunk, Which My Son Found In The Driveway, Fell Asleep In My Hand Yesterday As I Returned It To Its Burrow

Sweatyrando Report

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#14

We Fed Our Backyard Squirrel Once... Meet Frankie At Our Backyard Door Waiting For More Nuts

We Fed Our Backyard Squirrel Once... Meet Frankie At Our Backyard Door Waiting For More Nuts

chebstr Report

#15

Mom Had A Stranger On Her Deck This Morning

Mom Had A Stranger On Her Deck This Morning

china_rider Report

Rhinos are also incredibly vulnerable. Poachers and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners value their horns very much, which means that these animals are constantly under threat of being hunted down. Unfortunately, their horns are very lucrative.

The black rhino, Javan rhino, and Sumatran rhino are three of five rhino species that are among the most endangered species on Earth. For instance, there are barely 60 Javan rhinos left. Meanwhile, the black rhino population stands at 5.5k.

#16

I Came Into My Kitchen To Find A Lizard Using A Sponge As A Raft In The Sink. I Live In New Mexico

I Came Into My Kitchen To Find A Lizard Using A Sponge As A Raft In The Sink. I Live In New Mexico

bassmansrc Report

#17

A Polar Fox Escaped From A Small Zoo In Germany But Got Tired On The Way. A Zookeeper Took Him Back. I Hope That Didn’t Disturb His Slumber

A Polar Fox Escaped From A Small Zoo In Germany But Got Tired On The Way. A Zookeeper Took Him Back. I Hope That Didn’t Disturb His Slumber

LanChriss Report

#18

A Family Of Raccoons In My Yard

A Family Of Raccoons In My Yard

Duskav3ng3r117 Report

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John Mosley
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really like raccoons, but my vet told me some awful stories about what he's seen them do to cats :(.

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Bornean and Sumatran orangutans are also in trouble. There were roughly 230k+ orangutans in the wild a hundred years ago. However, due to deforestation for palm oil, they’ve been losing their habitats. As it stands now, there are 104.7k Bornean orangutans and around 13.8k Sumatran orangutans living.

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#19

This Fox That Lives At The Top Of My Granny's Hedge

This Fox That Lives At The Top Of My Granny's Hedge

Baretal Report

#20

Thankfully I Saved This Little Guy From My Lawnmower Today

Thankfully I Saved This Little Guy From My Lawnmower Today

This is what my lawn looked like, so he was pretty lucky that I saw him.

pbmax542 Report

#21

The Wife Opened The Back Door And Immediately Gasped, Then Shut It. A Little Guy Had Been Stashed There By His Mommy For About 10 Hours Before She Came Back And Got Him

The Wife Opened The Back Door And Immediately Gasped, Then Shut It. A Little Guy Had Been Stashed There By His Mommy For About 10 Hours Before She Came Back And Got Him

BigBiffTannen Report

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The.Butterfly.Effect.530
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does will often do this, hide their fawns and then return to collect them. If you ever find one leave it. If the mother does not return during the day then call an animal rescue. Offer water, not food. (This goes for all animals in need of rescue.)

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There are no easy fixes. If you want to protect wildlife on a global scale, you’d have to change how people interact with nature so they can co-exist with animals.

That would probably include fundamentally changing the perspective on trade and economics: instead of limitless growth and profits, everyone would ideally aim for sustainable growth.

#22

A Hummingbird Chilled On My Phone Today

A Hummingbird Chilled On My Phone Today

andyman686 Report

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ElfVibratorGlitter
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just needed to check his reflection. I guessed male but anybody know more about this kind of hummingbird?

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#23

A Hummingbird Built Its Nest On My Hanging Hummingbird Figurine

A Hummingbird Built Its Nest On My Hanging Hummingbird Figurine

lovemymaltese Report

Meanwhile, we would all ideally change how we look at a life worth living, pursuing deep relationships instead of materialistic wants. That means consuming less, buying fewer products, changing our eating habits, and recycling more.

As a result, we’d need to destroy fewer natural habitats for farms, factories, mines, and homes. The more people vote with their wallets, the more big corporations will have to adapt and embrace a greener mindset.

#26

Echidna We Rescued At Work. This Little Guy Got Stuck In The Bottom Of A Shallow Mineshaft. We Could Only See His Little Spikes Sticking Out Of The Dirt

Echidna We Rescued At Work. This Little Guy Got Stuck In The Bottom Of A Shallow Mineshaft. We Could Only See His Little Spikes Sticking Out Of The Dirt

It took us about 30 minutes to get him out because he could burrow faster than we could dig. However, we managed to relocate him to a safer spot.

derpyderpderp27 Report

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#27

A Pine Marten I Saw While Walking Through The Woods

A Pine Marten I Saw While Walking Through The Woods

Intagvalley Report

At the end of the day, we’ll still see quick economic expansion so long as it’s profitable. If you’re angry about pollution, destroyed habitats, and climate change, then you can and should look at the problem as a political one.

Vote for political representatives who represent your values. Boycott companies and brands that go against what you believe in. Write to your current political representatives asking them to take a tougher stance regarding conservation.

#28

My Friend's Dad Found A Crab Holding A Donatello PEZ Dispenser

My Friend's Dad Found A Crab Holding A Donatello PEZ Dispenser

soFREAKINboss Report

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Farnzy
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was supposed to meet that guy to buy that pez dispenser! It's super rare!

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#30

Two Baby Bears On My Grandparents' Deck

Two Baby Bears On My Grandparents' Deck

Grouchy_Raccoon_6681 Report

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Say No to Downvoting
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans getting so bothered about Australia’s apparent “dangerous animals”. You guy have flipping bears just wandering on up to your deck and swimming in your pools! Bears!! Like, seriously, wth???

Rosemary
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a lot of black bears where I live. For the most part they aren't aggressive unless provoked (who's gonna do that??). We had a mom with 3 cubs that made regular visits to our deck in search of bird seed. We had a hummingbird feeder, and we watched one of the cubs climb up on the deck rail, tip the hummingbird feeder back so the nectar spilled out in his mouth (and all over his fur). How he figured out how to do that I don't know.

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Ąåřţđęşịɠŋȿ
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

friick and frack (BP censored friick with one 'i' so had to respell it)

Janelle Collard
Community Member
Premium
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Mom says we're not supposed to be up here." "Mom's not around!"

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Meanwhile, you can support wildlife organizations financially or by volunteering your time. However, on a more personal scale, you could help your local wildlife by wilding your garden if you have one or by being courteous and non-intrusive when you spend time in nature.

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What’s the best or most unexpected wildlife encounter you’ve ever had, dear Pandas? How often do you see animals in your day-to-day lives? What do you do to support conservation efforts? Tell us all about it in the comments!

#31

A Sleepy Barn Owl Found Camouflage On My Back Porch

A Sleepy Barn Owl Found Camouflage On My Back Porch

MonkeyPic Report

#33

The Housekeeping Staff Found An Owl In The Room Of A Guest Who Checked Out Yesterday

The Housekeeping Staff Found An Owl In The Room Of A Guest Who Checked Out Yesterday

http9 Report

#34

This Lizard Lives In My Birdhouse

This Lizard Lives In My Birdhouse

The_One_Who_Meeps Report

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David
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an army lizard. You can tell because it is wearing green and lives in a Quonset hut. /j

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#36

I Was Sitting At A Red Light When A Peregrine Falcon Landed On The Hood Of My Car

I Was Sitting At A Red Light When A Peregrine Falcon Landed On The Hood Of My Car

Astrofluke Report

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#37

A Bird Made A Nest And Had Babies In Our Holiday Wreath

A Bird Made A Nest And Had Babies In Our Holiday Wreath

ZKK161820 Report

#39

I Found A Baby Rabbit While Mowing The Lawn

I Found A Baby Rabbit While Mowing The Lawn

TheDESTROYER976 Report

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Sleestak
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad and I found one stuck in our window well. He picked it up, and it howled like an air raid siren. We couldn't believe the volume out of that little thing. He set it under some nearby bushes.

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#40

Found This Little Guy Running Across The Train Tracks. I Was Able To Get Him Into The Box So He Didn't Overheat In The Sun And Get Hit By A Train

Found This Little Guy Running Across The Train Tracks. I Was Able To Get Him Into The Box So He Didn't Overheat In The Sun And Get Hit By A Train

DR_SKITTLES1234 Report

#41

Found This Angry Unit In The Wild At Work Today. Wanted To Have A Piece Of Me Every Time I Walked Past The Tree

Found This Angry Unit In The Wild At Work Today. Wanted To Have A Piece Of Me Every Time I Walked Past The Tree

Wild-Newspaper833 Report

#42

This Random Koala Is On The Side Of My House

This Random Koala Is On The Side Of My House

Welpiminterested Report

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Rebecca Ferguson
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an Australian, I find this quite sad that koalas have lost so much of their habitat that they do this.

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#43

When You Spend Your Whole Life Rolling Your Eyes At Ignorant Foreigners Thinking You Have Kangaroos In Your Front Yard, And You Live In The Suburbs

When You Spend Your Whole Life Rolling Your Eyes At Ignorant Foreigners Thinking You Have Kangaroos In Your Front Yard, And You Live In The Suburbs

deejaymorgan Report

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Robin DJW
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This! We (from the USA) lived in Brisbane for 3 years. Our sponsor told us not to expect kangaroos in everyone's yards. Sure enough, middle of city, found one sitting as calm as you please in the middle of the street. It was so funny.

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#44

I Was Dashing & Driving With My Windows Down When I Felt Something Hit My Head. I Pulled Over To See What Happened & Noticed A Bird Flew Into The Car As I Was Driving

I Was Dashing & Driving With My Windows Down When I Felt Something Hit My Head. I Pulled Over To See What Happened & Noticed A Bird Flew Into The Car As I Was Driving

I_Only_Have_One_Hand Report

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#45

Our Friendly Magpie Visits Us Every Morning! This Morning, She Showed Up With A Mouthful Of Bugs. She Walks Right Up, Sits With Me, And Steals Little Bits Of Our Dog's Food

Our Friendly Magpie Visits Us Every Morning! This Morning, She Showed Up With A Mouthful Of Bugs. She Walks Right Up, Sits With Me, And Steals Little Bits Of Our Dog's Food

islandpsychedelia Report

#46

Found A Friend. Millard Canyon Falls Trail, Angeles National Forest, California

Found A Friend. Millard Canyon Falls Trail, Angeles National Forest, California

gio_dude17 Report

#47

Woke Up To A Swan Peering Through My Front Door

Woke Up To A Swan Peering Through My Front Door

reddit.com Report

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David
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They look graceful in the water but that thing looks kind of weird / awkward with its neck straight up.

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#48

Is This Armadillo Old Enough To Be On Its Own?

Is This Armadillo Old Enough To Be On Its Own?

I know they're not ideal to touch, but this little guy was death-rolling through my yard, and I didn't want my pitbull to get him.

blueberrybunny24 Report

#49

We Had An Unexpected Guest Today

We Had An Unexpected Guest Today

Sugarkrill Report

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The.Butterfly.Effect.530
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Momma deer will often leave their babies in a hiding place and will return later. If you ever come across one do not feed nor disturb it. Keep an eye out for its mother. If the mom does not return call a rescue. Do NOT feed them. Only offer water.

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#50

So, Some Bees Decided To Build A Hive Between The Window And The Shutters

So, Some Bees Decided To Build A Hive Between The Window And The Shutters

Flaneur_7508 Report

Note: this post originally had 131 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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