Virus gets us back to nature

THOUSANDS of people have become nature lovers for the first time because of Covid, a study claims.

Researchers found a side- effect of the pandemic is that many city dwellers have discovered the joys of flora and fauna.

They found that 26 per cent of people visiting parks or reserves had rarely, or never, gone there the previous year.

The study explored how Covid has changed peoples’ relationship with wildlife.

Senior author Professor Brendan Fisher, of the University of Vermont, in the US, said: “Access to urban natural areas may be delivering mental health benefits during a time when they are most needed.

“People need more space for peace and contemplation and safe spaces to be social when so many other outlets are closed to them.”

The study was published in the journal PLOS One.