"The benefit of excluding humans from this highly contaminated ecosystem appears to outweigh significantly any negative cost associated with Chernobyl radiation," Robert Baker, a biologist at Texas Tech University Humanity will not soon forget the word "Chernobyl", as it continues to linger in the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds, as the best known, and devastating nuclear disaster in history.
On April 26, 1986 while conducting a systems experiment to determine how long equipment could function after shutdown of reactor #4, something went terribly wrong.
The reactor blew off its roof releasing a myriad of toxic radioactive materials such as: Cesium -137, Strontium- 90 and Iodine- 131 pluming into the atmosphere (contaminating an expansive 100,000 square mile radius).
Parts of Belarus, the Russian Federation, and the Ukraine were affected.
Over 130,000 residents were displaced, and over 120.
000 people died, (while many others fell victim to a variety of cancers).
It became very evident that these zones would become forever uninhabitable by the humans that once called this place home.
Today, Chernobyl still remains shrouded in controversy, as many still wonder about its continued long term effects.
While the focus of this disaster has long been the fact that these regions have been uninhabitable for humans since the disaster occurred, ignored was the quiet reshaping of the ecosystem that was taking place behind the scenes.
It would seem that "the word got out" among the animal population that this region was devoid of human life, and thus became a wise selection for animals to migrate and live.
Over time, this ghost town zone, where you once could hear a pin drop, is now a vibrant ecosystem teaming with life.
Overgrown Flowers and greenery now cover the dilapidated buildings,and other human relics of a long time passed.
Only faint memories of human existence now reside.
From the rare Przewalski's horse, to the mysterious wolf packs (that have been the subject of several documentary films) currently roam the region.
Beavers are building their damns, and restoring waterways, while wild bores are reshaping the landscape.
European Bison graze the land, while countless rare birds such as the white -tailed eagle and the black stork now nest and prosper.
Swans float lazily down the rivers, while the hoots of the owls fill the night air.
It is truly a magical place.
Scientist continue to monitor radiation levels (which are still extremely high), and sit in amazement of how a region that is deemed un- inhabitable to humans, can be so agreeable for animals to flourish.
It would seem that these animals are sending humanity a very strong message.
That they would rather live in a radioactive environment, than to co-exist with us.
That is powerful.
Perhaps their higher vibratory nature makes them exempt to the effects of radiation.
Perhaps the sheer happiness and freedom that comes from an uninterrupted lifestyle (away from human intrusion) is more palatable to them.
For them, it is a life freedom from being hunted, persecuted and encroached upon.
Animals and nature have a wonderful way of working in unison with one another, when left alone.
As humans we feel we are an integral part of the "web of life", but really as you can see with this "Dead Zone" region example, nature does just fine without us.
Nature continues to send us both subtle and overt messages.
It is up to humanity to hear them and act.
We must make a change now.
A promise to live harmoniously, and respectfully with the rest of the animal kingdom.
These animals are bluntly telling us that they no longer wish us to be on their team.
We have been kicked out.
They have elected to form a separate one.
Even within humanity lies a sect of those who feel the same, perhaps they can be the first among humanity to regain the trust with the rest of the animal kingdom.
My hope is that someday we will all be ONE team, and it will be a winning one!