Today, over 50% of the world’s population live in cities. As more people move into urban areas, animals are forced to adapt to the concrete jungle. Urbanisation causes habitat loss and fragmentation and leads to reduced biodiversity. To share the importance of coexisting with animals, Caroline Guzman created the film series Wild Urban Tails. “When people feel that conservation is not accessible, that can be a challenge because people will just assume that it’s not their problem,” Guzman says.
A multimedia journalist certified in animal behaviour and conservation, Guzman uses videography to advocate for the wellbeing of wildlife. “It is crazy that animals have been able to evolve and survive despite all our actions,” Guzman says. Although urban communities remain in close proximity to animals, people may regard some species as pests. “We take them for granted and sometimes see them as a nuisance, but imagine if they were no longer there,” Guzman says. With Wild Urban Tails, the Seattle-based photographer ventures to inner-city settings to capture ducks, squirrels, beavers, and other animals inhabiting the area. In understandable terms, Guzman breaks down their ecological importance and the threats they face. “By watching the clips, people can learn more about the role that the species play in the ecosystem,” she says.
Her video project is instrumental in ensuring environmentalism is approached from a grassroots level and not only limited to professionals. “I wanted to remind people that we share spaces with wildlife,” Guzman says. “The main goal of the project was to bridge the gap between urban animals and people.” Placing the focus on urban wildlife, she’s communicating their crucial presence and bringing conservation to people’s backyards.
Footage by Caroline Guzman was used in the creation of this film.
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