Chernobyl - 20 years later

Wildlife defies Chernobyl radiation

It contains some of the most contaminated land in the world, yet it has become a haven for wildlife - a nature reserve in all but name.The exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power station is teeming with life.As humans were evacuated from the area 20 years ago, animals moved in. Existing populations multiplied and species not seen for decades, such as the lynx and eagle owl, began to return.

There are even tantalising footprints of a bear, an animal that has not trodden this part of Ukraine for centuries.
“Animals don’t seem to sense radiation and will occupy an area regardless of the radiation condition,” says radioecologist Sergey Gaschak.
“A lot of birds are nesting inside the sarcophagus,” he adds, referring to the steel and concrete shield erected over the reactor that exploded in 1986.

Also at that BBC site are three poignant slides shows. Take a few minutes to click through them. Really moving.

Lost city in pictures
Contaminated vehicles
Ghost villages

Comments

  1. j.pickens wrote:

    The photos are especially moving, because the abandonment of all but the closest areas to the plant was totally unnecessary. Pseudoenvironmentalism run amok. The gloom and doom squad reveal what is in store for all of us if they succeed in the Global Warming hoax.

    http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/articles/chernobyl.html

    Posted 22 Apr 2006 at 9:24 am

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