Story perspectives

Wildlife Thrives 40 Years After Chernobyl, Mirrors Fukushima

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Wildlife populations have rebounded in Ukraine’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone 40 years after the 1986 nuclear accident.
Wolves, lynx, brown bears, European bison, wild boar and nesting greater spotted eagles have increased.
Tree frogs have developed darker melanin skin to protect against radiation.
A melanin-rich fungus inside Reactor 4 converts gamma rays into energy.
Similar wildlife resurgence is reported around Fukushima, where bears, raccoons and wild boars have repopulated the exclusion zone.

1 of 1

Story summary

Wildlife populations have rebounded in Ukraine’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone 40 years after the 1986 nuclear accident.
Wolves, lynx, brown bears, European bison, wild boar and nesting greater spotted eagles have increased.
Tree frogs have developed darker melanin skin to protect against radiation.
A melanin-rich fungus inside Reactor 4 converts gamma rays into energy.
Similar wildlife resurgence is reported around Fukushima, where bears, raccoons and wild boars have repopulated the exclusion zone.