Europe at risk of radiation radiation

Genetically mutated wolves caused by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (Ukraine) can threaten Europe as they roam out of the disaster area.

A new study published on the Daily Mail warned that wolves from the area suffering from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster could spread mutant genes across Europe. For the first time, gray wolves were seen leaving the forbidden area around Chernobyl (CEZ) over 4,300 square kilometers.

After being abandoned in 1986 after the nuclear explosion, the "dead land" around Chernobyl became the home of many wild animals such as bobcat, mouse, boar and horse.

Researchers tracked the activity of gray wolves to determine if they were "in place" in the restricted area.

According to the latest findings, a wolf has ventured beyond the CEZ boundary, possibly spreading mutated genes to other animals.(Photo: Reuters).

The study, led by Michael Byrne, an expert at the University of Missouri in Columbia, USA, points out that the density of gray wolves in the restricted area is seven times larger than the surrounding areas because there are no humans living in CEZ .

The researchers tracked 14 gray wolves by attaching a GPS locator ring to their necks. Thirteen wolves over the age of two did not cross the CEZ boundary, but one (1-2 years old) wandered out of CEZ within 300km about 21 days.

Unfortunately, the necklace on this wolf is malfunctioning, so they are not sure if it will remain outside of CEZ.

For the first time, gray wolves were seen leaving the forbidden area around Chernobyl (CEZ) over 4,300 square kilometers.(Photo: Daily Mail).

Some previous studies show that wildlife is thriving around Chernobyl because the area is abandoned by humans. While individual animals may be affected by radiation, other animal populations benefit from the absence of humans.