Urban wildlife found in the UF sewers

Discover the secret lives of the urban wildlife traveling beneath the University of Florida's campus. Ph.D. student Alan Ivory takes us underground to explore a hidden world captured by cameras installed inside stormwater sewer systems. From raccoons raising their young to alligators and otters on the move, this video offers a rare glimpse at how animals navigate the sewers of UF's campus.

Alan’s lifelong fascination with underground systems helped spark this innovative research that blends ecology, engineering and curiosity. The footage reveals not just where animals are, but how they travel and survive in a human environment.

This video highlights how urban wildlife adapts to and thrives within city systems in Alachua County. You’ll see compelling footage, hear remarkable stories and gain new perspective on the wildlife sharing our urban spaces.

00:00 - 00:40 Introduction and research overview
00:40 - 1:20 Exploring inside the sewer pipes
1:20 - 1:43 Camera mounting techniques
1:43 - 2:24 How the cameras work
2:24 - 3:07 Urban life invading environment
3:07 - 3:32 Childhood inspiration for research
3:32 - 4:33 Animal entry points through pipes and manholes
4:33 - 5:04 Alligators vs raccoons
5:04 - 5:29 Alligators using underground pipes
5:29 - 6:02 Campus coverage and camera network
6:02 - 6:44 Highway of sewer pipes under campus
6:44 - 7:41 Avoiding human interaction
7:41 - 7:57 Conclusion and future research

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