This hellish inferno became a sort of paradise for wild animals - at least on the surface. They thrive with no humans to prey upon them, but nobody fully understands how the nuclear poisons have altered their genetic makeup, the extent of their migration or their interactions with the adjacent "safe" areas. Grotesque mutations have been reported, but zoologists deny that.
Populations of wolfs and wild boars grow rapidly. They occupying the abandoned houses and sheds. They are curiously unagressive here. Maybe that has something to do with the food supply which plentiful for all species except man, but contaminated. It's not unusual to see a wolf, a fox, a wild boar or a wild deer casually crossing the road.
These are Prejevalsky Horses. Someone brought a couple of them from Asia a few years ago, they liked it here and now there are 3 herds running in Chernobyl area. They are a sturdy breed and are always on the move. They have a prehistoric look about them. When they sweep by at full gallop, it feels like you might see a herd of ancient Eohippus next. Zoologists also brought two American Bisons to the area, but the idea to breed them didn't work out. The male bison run away. I don't know if he run away from Radiation or from his bride, but he was last seen in Belorussia, heading west. He may have decided to return to America.
This is the town of Chernobyl - The entire population was evacuated in 1986 - but not until long after the danger enveloped them. It was a base for the Atomic Power Plant workers. Some still live here, this is the safest area in a zone. Geiger counter reading here now is 20-80 microroentgens, depending of where you stay.
We passing it through.
The map... 600 years... Cruising around ... Checkpoint... Loses ... The Liquidators ... Passing Chernobyl town ... Village election house ... Atomic plant ... Silence ... Ghost Town- Pripyat ... Bike shop ... Hotel ... New Beginning ... Their flag was still there ... No Labor Day parade ... Back to the USSR ... Devils Wheel ... Climbing up ... Vovik+Tanya=love ...Up on the roof ... Town where time stands still ..."Azure" and "Moonlight sonata" ... Kindergarten ... More of kindergarten ... Prometheus fire.