Wildlife recovery during a COVID-19 closure in a Semi-Urban landscape

The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique opportunity to examine wildlife responses to short-term reductions in human activity under real-world conditions. We analyzed standardized camera-trap data from the Jhalana Reserve Forest (JRF), an urban-edge reserve in Jaipur, India, across three periods: pre-lockdown, during a local COVID-19 closure, and post-lockdown after reopening. Model-based analyses were restricted to camera stations with complete date information in each period (Pre = 4, During = 8, Post = 7) and were fitted with generalized linear mixed models to compare species richness and camera-trap detection counts (relative activity/detectability) among periods and to assess within-period temporal trends. Species richness and detection counts were higher during the closure than in the pre-lockdown period. After reopening, detection counts for some species remained elevated, whereas richness did not increase further. Responses were species-specific. During the closure, daily detection counts increased over time, while richness showed no clear temporal trend. After reopening, detections showed no systematic temporal change. These results suggest that wildlife in urban-edge reserves is sensitive to variation in human presence, and that short, planned low-disturbance periods (e.g., scheduled quiet days), rotating access, and improved connectivity - may help reproduce some of the benefits observed during the anthropause.