Some places around the world are so wild and unique that animals outnumber the people living there. Whether it’s a sleepy fishing village, a windswept island, or a remote farming community, these towns remind us that sometimes, nature truly calls the shots. Here’s a look at eight towns where animals rule and people are simply along for the ride.
1. Kangaroo Island, Australia
At the Kangaroo Island, the kangaroo population easily dwarfs that of humans. The island is home to an estimated 50,000 kangaroos, while the human population hovers around 4,700. The marsupials roam freely, grazing across open fields and even hopping through backyards. Local farmers have learned to share their land, and visitors are often surprised to find kangaroos sunbathing on the beaches or lounging near roadside cafes. The island’s wildlife parks and conservation areas make it a haven for wallabies, koalas, and echidnas, too, but it’s the kangaroos that truly steal the show, reminding everyone who really owns the place.
Source: twinkl.de
2. Churchill, Canada
Churchill sits on the edge of Hudson Bay, where the population of polar bears can rival or even surpass the number of people, especially during migration season. With fewer than 900 permanent residents, Churchill becomes a temporary home for hundreds of polar bears each autumn as they wait for the sea ice to form. Residents have adapted by installing bear-proof garbage cans and even running a “polar bear jail” for troublesome visitors. The bears are a part of daily life, and spotting one wandering through town is just another day in Churchill.
Source: bbc.com
3. Assateague Island, USA
Assateague Island, off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, is famous for its wild horses known as Chincoteague ponies. With a human population limited to a handful of park rangers and seasonal campers, the horses roam the beaches, marshes, and forests without much interference. The annual pony swim draws crowds, but for most of the year, the horses outnumber people by a wide margin, grazing in peace and occasionally sticking their noses into picnic baskets or tents.
Source: nps.gov
4. St. Kilda, Scotland
The remote archipelago of St. Kilda was abandoned by its last human inhabitants in 1930, but today, it’s teeming with Soay sheep and seabirds. The sheep, descendants of ancient breeds, have the run of the land, while puffins, gannets, and fulmars nest on the cliffs. With no permanent residents, the animals have reclaimed the stone cottages and grassy slopes, making St. Kilda a living example of how quickly nature can take over when people leave.
Source: kildacruises.co.uk
5. Okunoshima, Japan
Okunoshima is better known as Rabbit Island, and for good reason. Hundreds of wild rabbits hop freely across the island, far outnumbering the handful of hotel staff and tourists who visit each day. The bunnies are friendly, approaching visitors for snacks and cuddles, and have become the island’s main attraction. With no natural predators and plenty of green space, the rabbits have created a fluffy, peaceful kingdom all their own.
Source: nationalgeographic.com
6. Dingle, Ireland
Dingle is a charming Irish town famous for its resident dolphin, Fungie, who for decades was the town’s unofficial mascot. But beyond Fungie, the waters around Dingle are home to pods of dolphins, seals, and even whales, often outnumbering the town’s small human population. Fishermen and tour guides share stories of dolphins following boats and seals sunbathing on the rocks, making it clear that in Dingle, the animals are just as much a part of the community as the people.
7. Grytviken, South Georgia
Grytviken was once a bustling whaling station, but today, it’s a ghost town with only a handful of seasonal researchers. The real residents are the thousands of elephant seals, fur seals, and king penguins that crowd the beaches and old buildings. The animals lounge on the abandoned docks, waddle through the empty streets, and fill the air with their calls. For visitors, it’s a surreal experience walking through a town where the only traffic jams are caused by seals napping in the road.
8. Nieu Bethesda, South Africa
Nestled in the Karoo desert, Nieu Bethesda is a tiny town where sheep outnumber people by a staggering margin. With only a few hundred residents and thousands of sheep grazing the arid plains, it’s common to see flocks wandering through the streets or resting in the shade of acacia trees. The town’s rhythm is set by the bleating of lambs and the gentle shuffling of hooves. Locals have grown used to sharing their roads and gardens, and the annual sheep-shearing festival is a highlight that brings everyone together; human and ovine alike. If you’re ever looking for a place where nature reigns supreme and the daily hustle is set by the rhythm of hooves, paws, or flippers, these towns are living proof that sometimes, animals truly have the upper hand.
Do you know other places where animals outnumber humans? We’d love to hear your stories. Share in the comments below and your tip could be featured in a future story!
