Chernobyl's Radioactive Wolves

There have been massive increases in large carnivores in the nuclear wasteland around Chernobyl creating a complete ecosystem and one of Europe's largest wildlife sanctuaries -- and yet it's radioactive. Where humans can't live, nature is rebounding and somewhere in this vast nuclear wilderness, there are packs of radioactive wolves, living in an archaic structure that has vanished from other parts of Europe. Here they can thrive, here they can live like real wolves in large packs as they used to. Before 1986, the zone was heavily farmed and populated, and wolves were scarce. In less than 25 years there are an estimated 300+ wolves making the most of this deceptively beautiful landscape. But are these they mutants? Have they been affected by nuclear contamination after the 1986 explosion which released 100 times more radio-nuclides than Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined?

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Gray Wolf
• Wolves

[Madnessofoblivion]

-sees radioactive wolves in title- :D -click- :D :D :D :D >:I

[grasputinj]

@Madnessofoblivion In Russian it sounds that way.

[osmadchlo]

Why would you reintroduce bison into a poisoned area where humans will not go? I understand letting nature take it's course, but putting healthy animals back into this mix seems wrong. Why did this have to be done in this place? No one knows what consequences those bison will suffer in the long run. And we don't know how that will affect our environment.

[grasputinj]

@osmadchlo on this territory in the future will preserve and bison imported into of experimental purposes.

[jp3d2k]

@osmadchlo It is the best thing that ever happened to the Bison, and all the other wildlife that is reclaiming the exclusion zone. Here they are free from something unimaginably more harmful than low level radiation exposure, in fact the most devastating force ever to poison the world: humans.

[Replicaate]

I find it almost comforting really, to see how quickly nature can bounce back even after humans give it the ultimate beating. It seems like no matter how much we throw at it, the planet regenerates, with or without us. Truly amazing.

On a side note, those wolf pups are the cutest thing I've seen all day.

[TheJessy1017]

@grasputinj I was swimming there just a few weeks ago. My Johnston is over 11 feet long now.

[FrozenCirix]

lol the wolf was tripping balls

[Aetopus]

I'm curious why the radiation didn't cause DNA mutations & birth defects in the wildlife. That's what experts say radiation does. I highly recommend "LORDS OF NATURE." Beginning in the 1920s, greed, fear & ignorance led to massive slaughter of wolves. Soon after Americas national parks began dying. Then in 1990s, 1 researcher figured out the death of nature was because of the missing wolves. Wolves were reintroduced & by gosh Nature came back to live. Learn why wolves are the Lords of Nature.

[PhatassFred]

@berlinbueso Oh yeah, it's great now, but the accident itself was a horrible situation. Regarding evidence, I suppose you just want me to throw references your way that'll you'll never read? Wikipedia is usually just a good place to start, if you're feeling particular unimaginative. Besides, where's your evidence coming from? If we're going to trade cards, at least make it fair.

[kellenfreeman15]

29.20: *Throws cardboard box out helicopter.*

[avak18]

A real ghost town what gives free place for animals without humans who's hunt for them.

They live there without disturbing.

[sourskitts45]

After the meltdown in Japan, Japanese citizens started planting Sun Flowers to extract radiation from the earth. I suppose should be done here too.

[sourskitts45]

@Replicaate you only figure that now??