The world’s worst nuclear energy disaster took place at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Pripyat, Ukraine back in 1986, and its effects are still being felt today. A 30-km (19-mile) exclusion zone is in place around the Chernobyl disaster site, which is still highly contaminated with the radiation released following the accident.
While not fit for human habitation, wildlife has made a remarkable comeback in the exclusion zone; there are said to be more than 60 different types of mammals living there including wild boar and elk. Wolves are doing especially well, with a population that is seven times the size of wolf populations in neighboring reserves.
Far from becoming the barren wasteland that many predicted after the catastrophic nuclear explosion the area has, in the absence of humans, become host to a great biodiversity. It really shows the power of nature to recover when left alone without us around to get in the way of things!
Proof of this can be seen in this fascinating list compiled by Bored Panda. Marvel at the way that grey concrete blocks are gradually giving way to greenery, as plants and trees slowly engulf the urban decay of the former Soviet town. You can also meet some of the local wildlife celebrities, who are looking remarkably healthy considering the highly contaminated land around them.
So scroll down below to see Mother Nature majestically reclaiming her territory, and let us know what you think about these interesting photos in the comments!
#1 I Finally Met The Famous Pripyat Fox Simon
Image source: m__olegovna
#2 Meet Simon, The Red Fox Of The Radioactive Red Forest
Image source: avoidingregret.com
#3 Tree Growing On The 8th Floor
Image source: http://grandcanyon.free.fr
#4 Today Our Team Came Across The Burial Site Of A Beloved Pet In Chernobyl
Image source: CleanFutureFund
#5 Nature Taking Over Pripyat. What Is The Cost Of Lies?
Image source: chernobyltvshow
#6 Przewalski’s Horses
A group of Przewalski’s horses grazing in the Chernobyl Exclusion zone. In the background the New Safe Confinement (“Sarcophagus 2”) can be seen.
Image source: Michael Kötter
#7 An Old Phone Box Hidden Away In The Undergrowth In Pripyat. Unused Since 1986
Image source: essextoeverywhere
#8 Nature Wins The Battle Against Civilization
#9 30 Years Later, Pripyat Has Turned Into A Sort Of Nature Reserve
Image source: swagiliciously
#10 Overgrown House In Zalissya (Village Inside Chernobyl Exclusion Zone)
Image source: GriffinIsleham
#11 Nature Wins The Battle Against Civilization
#12 The Buildings In Pripyat Have Not Received Maintenance For More Than 30 Years, Here In The Hospital The Dereliction Is Obvious
Image source: charlie.tango.chernobyl
#13 Pripyat Hospital
A very huge building in Pripyat. In the basement lies the clothes of firemen who where first to the accident site after the meltdown. The room with the clothes is one of the most radioactive spots in the whole exclusion zone
Image source: Mark Hakansson
#14 Chernobyl – Children’s Camp “Emerald”
Image source: Michael Kötter
#15 Chernobyl Bus Station
Image source: Brook Ward
#16 May 2019
Image source: pripyat.city1970
#17 Pripyat Is No Longer The Ghost Town What It Was. Now It Is Consumed By The Forest And Plants. Nature Persistently Takes It Back
Image source: spoilt.exile
#18 Pripyat – River Boat
Image source: Michael Kötter
#19 Pripyat – The Ghost City Crowned By Sweet Silence And Beautiful Wild Nature
Image source: IAPonomarenko
#20 Duga Radar
Image source: Michael Kötter
#21 Hospital
Image source: stechanka
#22 Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Image source: Jorge Franganillo
#23 Pripyat
Image source: okeskinnn
#24 Pripyat – Palace Of Culture “Energetik”
Image source: Michael Kötter
#25 Visited Chernobyl. The Overgrown Amusement Park Of Pripyat!
Image source: sistabussen
#26 Pripyat
Image source: f0rtytw0
#27 Residence Hall For The Plant Workers
Image source: HoHoNOPE
#28 Overgrown Building
Image source: Jodi
#29 Overgrown Rails. Nature Takes Everything Back
Image source: anniwhere.else
#30 Looking At The Chernobyl Power Plant From Pripyat
Image source: TopS3cr3t
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