Chernobyl is still unsafe for humans due to the high levels of radiation found there.
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Despite earlier studies that suggested wildlife in the region could also suffer from radiation, scientists have found no evidence to support these claims.
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Researchers think that wildlife returned to the area because it has been almost completely untouched by humans, which has allowed certain species to thrive.
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Many of the animals are taking advantage of the fact that there is no human life around.
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Scientists have found that the population of wolves is seven times greater here than in nearby reserves.
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Near the Belarus-Ukraine border, local livestock farmers are offering hunters an incentive to hunt the wolves who are killing their farm animals.
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Hunters like Belarusian hunter Vladimir Krivenchik and his wife make $80 per wolf they kill.
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In 2016, about 1,700 wolves were hunted and killed.
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Though the lingering radiation is unhealthy for the wildlife, the effects of human activity — like hunting, farming, and forestry — are worse on the animals.
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Larger mammals, such as bison, are more likely to live in this area than smaller mammals.
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The European brown bear — an animal that hasn't been seen here in over a century — has been documented as living in the region. The area's more popular animals, like bison, live in herds.
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Birds are a huge part of the wildlife surrounding Chernobyl.
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White-tailed eagles are common in the nuclear zone.
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There are even foxes walking around.
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Otters are found swimming in the rivers.
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Every day the area looks less like a disaster site and more like a nature preserve.
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There are still ongoing studies to find out if radiation has a negative effect on animals to the point where it will harm or kill them.
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[FunFunky]
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