Indonesia
English
Follow
SARGA.CO – Amid the remains of the ghost villages of Chernobyl, a herd of horses emerged from the forest — an unexpected sight that shocked a nonprofit team after discovering that this critically endangered species has actually been thriving in one of the most contaminated regions on Earth.
The Dogs of Chernobyl team, part of the Clean Futures Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports communities affected by long-term nuclear disasters, captured this rare moment when they spotted Przewalski’s horses moving through the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a 1,600-square-mile area abandoned after the 1986 nuclear explosion. The video was uploaded to TikTok (@dogsofchernobyl) and has been viewed more than 8.3 million times.
The World’s Last Truly Wild Horse Species
Przewalski’s horse is recognized as the last true wild horse species in the world, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. The species was once extinct in the wild due to competition with humans and livestock, as well as environmental changes.
Conservation efforts successfully reintroduced them to Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan — and, surprisingly, into the radioactive zone of Chernobyl.
According to Jennifer Betz, veterinary director of Dogs of Chernobyl, 31 horses were introduced to the area between 1998 and 1999 as part of a rewilding experiment, returning wild animals to habitats without human presence. This human-free zone created a unique environment where the horses were able to thrive.
Their population grew gradually, and by 2021 it was estimated to have reached 150–180 horses, although more recent data is unavailable due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“Usually we only see them from far away, but this time they were very close. It was amazing to be able to sit and observe them for quite a while. This species is truly unique and magnificent,” Betz said.
In the video, a Przewalski’s horse walks across the road toward the forest, pauses, and stares at the team. They then followed the horse until it met another small herd, estimated at around seven horses.
Although no updated census is available, some horses have indeed been lost over the years, including a tragic incident last summer when one horse reportedly stepped on a landmine.
(Source: Newsweek)
Install SARGA.CO News
sarga.co
Rekomendasi