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| Wildlife thriving without humans in Chernobyl nuclear zone – study (PHOTOS, VIDEO) | |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Animals in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have not been wiped out by the nuclear fallout contaminating the land, but are actually thriving in the absence of humans, according to a new ecological study. | Animals in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have not been wiped out by the nuclear fallout contaminating the land, but are actually thriving in the absence of humans, according to a new ecological study. |
| A series of explosions at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1984 set off a catastrophic chain of events that are still being felt today. | A series of explosions at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1984 set off a catastrophic chain of events that are still being felt today. |
| The power plant disaster remains one of the worst nuclear accidents on record, with the destruction of the facility’s reactor 4 on April 26 exposing large parts of the Ukraine and Belarus to harmful radiation. | The power plant disaster remains one of the worst nuclear accidents on record, with the destruction of the facility’s reactor 4 on April 26 exposing large parts of the Ukraine and Belarus to harmful radiation. |
| While most people were evacuated from the 4,300 square-kilometer area known as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, animals were left to forage in the highly radioactive environment. | While most people were evacuated from the 4,300 square-kilometer area known as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, animals were left to forage in the highly radioactive environment. |
| Now a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) suggests that the wildlife population hasn’t died off in the toxic landscape, but actually flourished. | Now a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) suggests that the wildlife population hasn’t died off in the toxic landscape, but actually flourished. |
| The group used 94 baited scent stations and 30 remote camera traps set up within the Polesie State Radio-ecological Reserve, a highly contaminated area in south Belarus. | The group used 94 baited scent stations and 30 remote camera traps set up within the Polesie State Radio-ecological Reserve, a highly contaminated area in south Belarus. |
| The zone is predominantly forested and abandoned agricultural land, pock marked with empty villages. | The zone is predominantly forested and abandoned agricultural land, pock marked with empty villages. |
| Carried out during a five week period between October and November of 2014, the project captured 14 species of mammal on film, with 173 animal detections observed overall. | Carried out during a five week period between October and November of 2014, the project captured 14 species of mammal on film, with 173 animal detections observed overall. |
| It shows that among the creatures feeding off the land are the Eurasian bison, red squirrel, moose, boar, and gray wolves. | It shows that among the creatures feeding off the land are the Eurasian bison, red squirrel, moose, boar, and gray wolves. |
| Many of the animals were also documented in a recent visit to the zone by Reuters photographers. | Many of the animals were also documented in a recent visit to the zone by Reuters photographers. |
| “For this study we deployed cameras in a systematic way across the entire Belarus section of the CEZ and captured photographic evidence – strong evidence – because these are pictures that everyone can see,” said lead researcher James Beasley in a UGA statement. | “For this study we deployed cameras in a systematic way across the entire Belarus section of the CEZ and captured photographic evidence – strong evidence – because these are pictures that everyone can see,” said lead researcher James Beasley in a UGA statement. |
| “We didn’t find any evidence to support the idea that populations are suppressed in highly contaminated areas. | “We didn’t find any evidence to support the idea that populations are suppressed in highly contaminated areas. |
| “What we did find was these animals were more likely to be found in areas of preferred habitat that have the things they need – food and water.” | “What we did find was these animals were more likely to be found in areas of preferred habitat that have the things they need – food and water.” |
| While the study suggests that the wildlife population in the area appears to be in prime health, it did not examine the actual animals. | While the study suggests that the wildlife population in the area appears to be in prime health, it did not examine the actual animals. |
| Evidence compiled by Dr. Timothy Mousseau, a biologist from the University of South Carolina, had previously highlighted mutations among the bird population, including tumors, unusual pigmentation, and brain abnormalities. | Evidence compiled by Dr. Timothy Mousseau, a biologist from the University of South Carolina, had previously highlighted mutations among the bird population, including tumors, unusual pigmentation, and brain abnormalities. |
| In 2014, the scientist told the New York Times how some bird species appeared to have evolved to survive in the harsh environment. | In 2014, the scientist told the New York Times how some bird species appeared to have evolved to survive in the harsh environment. |
| The latest UGA study was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology. | The latest UGA study was published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology. |
| Its findings contradict those of previous studies which have claimed that the fallout from the meltdown, whose cleanup required 600,000 workers, is damaging the area’s natural wildlife. | Its findings contradict those of previous studies which have claimed that the fallout from the meltdown, whose cleanup required 600,000 workers, is damaging the area’s natural wildlife. |