Jul 03, 2018 21:00:00

Wild wolves are breeding in the vicinity of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, where the human shadow has disappeared due to radioactive contamination, becoming a de facto 'nature reserve'

After

the nuclear reactor explosion accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant that occurred on April 26, 1986, the Soviet authorities decided to set an exclusion zone within 30 km around the nuclear power plant, and as of 2018, it is still within the zone. Entry is restricted. According to a research team led by Michael Byrne, who studies ecology at the University of Missouri, the Chernobyl exclusion zone as of 2018 has become a de facto nature reserve, contributing greatly to the breeding of wolves. ... apparently ...

Evidence of long-distance dispersal of a gray wolf from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone | SpringerLink
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10344-018-1201-2

Chernobyl's Radioactive 'Wildlife Preserve' Spawns Growing Wolf Population
https://www.livescience.com/62964-chernobyl-wolves-spreading.html

So far, many researchers have investigated the wildlife living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, and some surveys have shown that 'wildlife is suffering.' In response to these survey results, Mr. Byrne said, ``Because it has become a de facto nature reserve because people do not enter, the population density of wolves living in the prohibited area has increased seven times compared to the surrounding area. I am,' he said, pointing out that the number of wolves is large compared to the area within the prohibited area. ``Considering the high population density of wolves, I thought that some wolves might move to other areas,'' he said, explaining how he conducted this survey.

In order to investigate the behavior of wolves, the research team attached GPS to 13 healthy adult wolves over the age of two and one young male wolf under the age of two living in groups within the exclusion zone. Tracked. About three months after the start of the investigation, it was confirmed that one young wolf from the group of 14 had escaped from the group and was acting outside the restricted area. It was later revealed that the wolf had traveled more than 300km from the exclusion zone over the course of 21 days.

However, it is unknown whether the young wolf eventually returned to the exclusion zone or remained outside after that because the GPS attached to this wolf broke down. ``This discovery is evidence that wolves are moving far beyond the exclusion zone,'' said Byrne, and the fact that young wolves are moving to other areas is important. I emphasize that there is Mr. Byrne said, ``Wolves living in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone have been destroyed by radioactive materials, as they may be breeding with wolves in other areas while they are moving. Instead of depleting the population of wolves, it may function as a source of supply that increases the population of wolves in other regions.” It is reasonable to assume that the same thing is happening in other animals,' he said.

Byrne acknowledges that some have questioned the findings, saying: 'Many people believe that animals born within the Chernobyl exclusion zone are mutated by radiation and that they migrate to other areas. I believe that moving can have an impact on the ecosystem.' Regarding this question, Byrne said, ``There is no evidence in this study to support whether the ecosystem is affected,'' but ``It will be an interesting area of research in the future,'' and will not clarify it in the future. I admit that it is a point that should not be taken.