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Cameras Show Animals Thriving in Fukushima's 'Uninhabitable' Radioactive Zone
h/t IntapunditIt's been nearly nine years since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, and the natural world has wasted no time in reclaiming its space. Despite pervasive radiation, a new study suggests a sheer lack of human intervention is more than enough for wildlife populations to thrive. In the five years following human evacuation, the Fukushima evacuation zone has become home to an abundant array of mid- and large-sized mammal populations. Analysing over 267,000 wildlife photos, researchers were able to identify 20 species in the 'uninhabitable zone', including wild boars (Sus scrofa), the Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus), macaques (Macaca fuscata), pheasants (Phasianus versicolor), foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), which is related to the fox. "Our results represent the first evidence that numerous species of wildlife are now abundant throughout the Fukushima Evacuation Zone, despite the presence of radiological contamination," says wildlife biologist James Beasley from the University of Georgia. "This suggests these species have increased in abundance following the evacuation of people," he adds. Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2020-01-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=560988 |