Quote:
Originally Posted by Drachen
I didn't say they were all perfectly healthy. They are thriving compared to surrounding areas and compared to what that part of Ukraine was like before the accident. That area was a swamp and was cleared and drained for farmland in the early 20th century. That means wolf and beaver hunts on a massive Soviet-style scale and massive habitat destruction. Now there are wolf packs living and breeding within the Zone. European bison were re-introduced a few years ago.
It's pretty clear at this point that the immediate danger posed by the radiation is less than from the humans themselves.
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I see, so it's 'comparative thriving'. Humans aren't in the area to hunt these animals so their populations grow, but they're still all sick and suffering from horrible radiation. Let's not pretend they're doing well, they're living on poisoned ground, breathing poisoned air, and drinking poisoned water. They're sick and suffering and will not live the kind of lifespan they would normally. I'm not sure we can honestly say they're 'benefiting' from the lack of human presence. If the accident hadn't happened there would be far fewer animals in the area, that much is true, but those few that were there would
not be radioactive.