When humans are away, the whales will play.

In another sign that wild animals are roaming more freely while locked down people are sheltering indoors from the coronavirus, a maritime patrol has filmed remarkable images of whales powering through Mediterranean waters off the coast of southern France.

A graceful pair of fin whales was filmed Tuesday in waters off the Calanques National Park, a protected reserve of outstanding natural beauty next to the usually bustling but now locked-down Mediterranean port city of Marseille.

Didier Reault, who heads the park board, says it is "very, very rare" for fin whales to be spotted and filmed at such close quarters in the reserve's waters. The whales usually stay further out in deeper Mediterranean waters but seem to have been drawn in by the lockdown-driven freeze on maritime traffic, water sports, pleasure fishing and pleasure craft, Reault said.

"The absence of human activity means the whales are far more serene, calm and confident about rediscovering their playground that they abandon when there is maritime traffic," said Reault.

"It is clear that the lockdown of humans is helping nature and biodiversity rediscover their natural spaces," he said. "With the lockdown, nothing is happening, it is dead quiet. And animals, be they fin whales or other marine species, are clearly rediscovering their confidence and peace, allowing them to come closer to shore."

Fin whales are among the largest of the species, weighing as much as 70 tons and growing past 20 meters in length.

Wild animals venturing into places vacated by humans have also been spotted elsewhere around the world, as hundreds of millions of people are locked down and limited in their movements to try to slow the coronavirus pandemic.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and death.

Other places where animals have taken advantage of the peace of less human activity include Llandudno, a town in North Wales. There, mountain goats have been filmed roaming in frisky clumps through the streets and chomping on plants in people's front yards.

Reault expressed hope that people will emerge from lockdowns with greater appreciation for biodiversity, being "a bit more respectful of the tranquility and serenity of animals."

"We must not content ourselves with a 30-second video," he said. Instead, "we should tell ourselves that if we want to keep seeing (nature), we must know how to respect it."

(All photos via VCG)

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