Zwierzęta z Czarnobyla - Cover Images

With friendly natures, and a willingness to approach humans, these wild dogs do not seem a threat. In fact, they are descendants of the pets families were forced to leave behind following the Chernobyl disaster. In 1986, the reactor at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded, spreading radioactive materials into the environment. A 30-km exclusion zone was created around the plant and 120,000 people were evacuated. The hasty evacuation meant they were only allowed take with them what they would carry - and certainly no beloved pets. These images, taken by local tour company Solo East Travel (www.tourkiev.com), show packs of stray dogs tame enough to wander near and interact with human visitors, particularly those working at the plant. Other wildlife that inhabit the area includes foxes, moose, lynx, hares, horses and wolves. The Clean Futures Fund (CFF), a non-profit organisation that provides support for communities affected by industrial accidents, estimates that "over 250 stray dogs live around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, over 225 stray dogs live in Chernobyl City, and hundreds of other dogs live at the various security checkpoints and roam throughout the exclusion zone." Where: Chernobyl, Russian Federation When: 07 Feb 2018 Credit: Solo East Travel/Cover Images ****STRICT CONDITION OF USE - PICTURES CANNOT APPEAR WITHOUT MENTION OF 'Solo East Travel' AND MENTION OF WEBSITE www.tourkiev.com** MANDATORY CREDIT: Solo East Travel/Cover Images. Only for use in this story. Editorial Use Only. No stock, books, advertising or merchandising without photographer's permission**