Radioactive wild boars are responsible for the destruction of agricultural Japanese communities following the Fukushima disaster. The wild boars are able to reproduce unhindered in the nuclear disaster exclusion zone, increasing the population of the boars by 330 percent since the Fukushima meltdown. Meanwhile, the boars are leaving the zone to cause havoc in surrounding farmlands resulting in over $15 million in damages to the area. Now the government is calling for hunters to cull the beasts, but the move is proving difficult as the boars out-breed the culling efforts.
The Daily Mail reports an unlikely problem which resulted from the Fukushima nuclear disaster . Following the nuclear accident, wild boars in the nuclear exclusion zone were exposed to radiation and began reproducing at high rates as humans left the area. With no one to control the boar reproduction in the area, the boar population grew by 330 percent in the five years since the disaster.
Communities in northern Japan are being overwhelmed by rampaging radioactive wild boars in wake of Fukushima. https://t.co/rNvcSEusTG
— Adam K Olson (@adamkolson) April 5, 2016
With the population surging, the boars began causing mayhem in surrounding farmlands with the beasts causing over $15 million in damages to the agricultural areas. As a result of the increased problems associated with the wild boars, the local Japanese authorities have asked hunters to begin culling the animals.
“Local authorities are calling in hunters to cull the boars, but the animals are breeding so quickly that mass graves are now filled to the brim and incinerators are running out of capacity.”
According to The Times , wild boar meat is typically sought after as one of the “healthiest red meats” as it is high in protein. However, due to the radiation contaminating the wild boars’ food source , the boars are considered a health threat if eaten. Wild boars living in the exclusion zone of the Fukushima disaster have been tested for radioactivity. Sadly for those hoping to consume the boars, the meat tested 300 times the legal limit for human consumption. Therefore, the boars cannot be used as a food source but are seeing a population boom due to the lack of humans in their area to cull them accordingly.
RT notes that the boars are not only a problem for the farmland but also for children and people in the area who must protect themselves from the beasts. One woman who allegedly works in Japan near a community with a radioactive wild boar problem says that school children are being sent home with umbrellas to protect themselves from the creatures.
@AlishaRai There was a wild boar loose near the JHS I taught at in Japan. Teachers escorted kids home wielding umbrellas. It was nuts.
— Jemma Prophet (@jemmaprophet) March 24, 2016
As for the health of the boars themselves, despite the boars’ food source being contaminated with radiation from the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, they were noted in strikingly good health. While the meat is contaminated for consumption, the boars seem rather healthy according to scientists in the area. In fact, the wild boars in the exclusion zone seem to be thriving in their new radioactive environment.
“Radioactive wild boars contaminated by the Fukushima disaster are causing havoc in Japan” https://t.co/PBsPwMFt4r
— Naren Balaji (@narenbalaji) April 5, 2016
While the boars are healthy, it is noted that an estimated 130 humans may die in the coming years due to cancers caused by the nuclear disaster. Small animals such as rodents and insects have reportedly been adversely affected by the radiation in the area.
What do you think about the unusual negative side effect of the Fukushima nuclear disaster presenting in the form of a radioactive wild boar problem? Do you think culling efforts will work for local communities, or will the boars continue to cause havoc in the area? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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