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Wildlife defies Chernobyl radiation
"Animals don't seem to sense radiation and will occupy an area regardless of the radiation condition. A lot of birds are nesting inside the sarcophagus [referring to the steel and concrete shield erected over the reactor that exploded in 1986."
- Sergey Gaschak, radioecologist
Chernobyl, Ukraine - It contains some of the most contaminated land in the world, yet it has become a haven for wildlife - a nature reserve in all but name.
As humans were evacuated from the area 20 years ago, animals moved in. Existing populations multiplied and species not seen for decades, such as the lynx and eagle owl, began to return.