Chernobyl area experiencing rebirth as wildlife returns
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029262
BBC : Since the catastrophic nuclear accident at Chernobyl in 1986, a 30-km area around the nuclear plant, called the exclusion zone, has remained relatively uninhabited by humans. Despite the radioactive contamination, the area has reverted to forest and become overrun with wildlife. Using aerial surveys and winter tracking studies, Jim Smith of the University of Portsmouth and his colleagues counted the large mammals now roaming the area. They say that the populations of roe deer, elk, and wild boar are similar to those in uncontaminated nature reserves. Wolves are doing particularly well, probably because of the lack of hunting in the area. Smith and his group add that more research needs to be done to look at a wider variety of animal life, including smaller mammals, birds, and insects.