A few years ago, I was in Frankfurt on the Main. I was young and spontaneous, so I hadn’t booked any accommodation.
That night, I found myself without a place to sleep, but it was a warm September night, so I decided to sleep in the city park along the Main River.
I found an empty bench and laid down on it. However, after about fifteen minutes, a rustling noise startled me. When I opened my eyes, I saw about a dozen rabbits happily grazing in the flower bed in front of me. This surprised me because until then, I wasn’t aware that wild animals lived in big cities.

A recent study highlights that more than 10,000 animal species inhabit German metropolises, and the number is constantly increasing.

What drives wild animals to live in cities?

Many animals lose their natural habitats due to human activities (urbanization of small towns, intensive farming, construction of roads and highways). For them, the best alternative often lies in large cities: the presence of parks, cemeteries, and gardens provides an ideal environment. Additionally, human presence creates ample food opportunities as humans generate a lot of trash where animals can find food. Other significant advantages of cities include numerous hiding places that protect them from natural predators and higher temperatures compared to rural areas.

What wild animals are found in cities?

As I was saying, many wild animals have moved to large cities. Just take Rome or Berlin as examples, where the presence of animal species is significant (Rome has 197 animal species, while Berlin counts approximately 20,600 animal and plant species). Many of the animals that have arrived in cities prove to be highly adaptable to their new living conditions.

Examples of wild animals that live in cities

1. Birds: Blackbird, Thrush, Chaffinch, and Starling

Cities are home to many types of birds, which are drawn to plants in nature with high levels of essential oils, while in cities they prefer cigarette butts. It seems that nicotine repels parasites and keeps the feathers healthier.

2. The Wild Rabbit

Rabbits are typically nocturnally active animals that prefer communal living. In cities, they have changed their habits: it is not uncommon to see them during the day in search of food, and they prefer solitary life in urban areas.

3. The Fox

Urban foxes have quickly adapted to urban environments: the food supply is much greater than in the wild (small animals like mice or birds are easy prey, and human leftovers are also an excellent choice). Cities provide numerous hiding spots essential for their survival and raising their young.

4. The Badger

In Germany, there are approximately 150,000 badgers that live in underground burrows often dug in urban gardens. Their presence is often revealed by the fact that sheds or small houses built there have major static problems. Badgers can be seen in the second half of the night while foraging for food in dumpsters.

5. The Wild Boar

Another animal that prefers to feed on garbage is the wild boar. In the province of Rome, there are estimated to be 16,400 of them, which have now become animals that are commonly encountered within the Eternal City.

6. The Pine Marten

In the cities of Central Europe, it is not uncommon to find pine martens, which are primarily nocturnal animals; they are essentially omnivorous and feed on plants, insects, and small mammals. This animal is disliked by many people because it tends to make its den in attics or garages, but it often seeks shelter under the hood of parked cars, where it frequently chews through cables with its teeth.

Wild animals: a sign that cities are healthy?

The presence of wild animals demonstrates, on one hand, that large cities exhibit a certain level of healthiness. On the other hand, it shows that food waste and human garbage become a food source for these animals, which poses additional health problems for them. Embracing a culture of conscious recycling and separate waste collection can prove to be a significant help for nature knocking at our door.

Oreste