Chernobyl is still unsafe for humans due to the high levels of radiation found there.
Despite earlier studies that suggested wildlife in the region could also suffer from radiation, scientists have found no evidence to support these claims.
Researchers think that wildlife returned to the area because it has been almost completely untouched by humans, which has allowed certain species to thrive.
Many of the animals are taking advantage of the fact that there is no human life around.
Scientists have found that the population of wolves is seven times greater here than in nearby reserves.
Near the Belarus-Ukraine border, local livestock farmers are offering hunters an incentive to hunt the wolves who are killing their farm animals.
Hunters like Belarusian hunter Vladimir Krivenchik and his wife make $80 per wolf they kill.
In 2016, about 1,700 wolves were hunted and killed.
Though the lingering radiation is unhealthy for the wildlife, the effects of human activity — like hunting, farming, and forestry — are worse on the animals.
Larger mammals, such as bison, are more likely to live in this area than smaller mammals.
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.
Birds are a huge part of the wildlife surrounding Chernobyl.
White-tailed eagles are common in the nuclear zone.
There are even foxes walking around.
Otters are found swimming in the rivers.
Every day the area looks less like a disaster site and more like a nature preserve.
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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