Animals Return to Nuclear Blast Region

After 20 years, wild life is now thriving in the region of the Chernobyl. Full article here.

Quick Summary:

• After the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine exploded in 1986, humans evacuated the area.
• In the absence of humans, animals have returned to the region.
• Trees are growing back, though they are very deformed.
• Local animals stuck in the area are as healthy as animals in clean areas.
• Mice introduced to the area did not fare as well as local mice.
• Only one mouse was found with cancer-like symptoms.
• Ample evidence of DNA mutation was found, though none of the mutations affected the physiology or reproduction of the animals.
• According to one scientist, the benefits of removing humans has outweighed the harm of radiation.
• James Lovelock, an environmentalist, wonders if small amounts of nuclear waste should be in tropical forest to protect them from greedy investors.

My $0.02: Wow. Humans are worse than a nuclear blast for wild life. Without man continually ruining the region, animals have been able to adapt and come back in full force. I can't agree with the idea of introducing nuclear waster to a region since it so negatively affects animals currently living in the region, but the story does emphasize the negative role people have on a region.