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Infrared filters are known for creating weird, eerie, and haunting photos, no matter what you’re capturing. That is why taking a filter like that to an already creepy-looking place like the Chernobyl exclusion zone might make the scenery pictures you take look even more impressive. Photographer Vladimir Migutin did just that on his trip to the town in Ukraine that suffered the infamous nuclear plant disaster.

"It was a spontaneous decision," Vladimir told Bored Panda. "I was born in Belarus in 1986 (the same year that the Chernobyl disaster occurred), at the age of 5 my family left the Soviet Union. I have bright memories of my early childhood, and I wanted to visit some places in Minsk, to see how it changed since, and meet few friends that live there. Then the idea to visit Chernobyl came to my mind. I’ve searched the internet for groups that visit this place and have a valid entrance License. I had found an Instructor and a group from Belarus that planned a trip on an adjacent date.

"The only challenge that people have while planning such a trip is their superstition - that this place is really dangerous. After digging for some information on the internet it turned out that it’s not that dangerous at all. We didn’t visit forbidden places where the nuclear energy radiation levels are lethal. In fact, the average radiation level during this trip was pretty same as the radiation level on a 10,000-meter flight."

"It's pretty hard to describe the atmosphere I had during this trip and making this photo series, but it's as if I was in a “kind of” paradise - a feeling I can't recall since my last visit to Kokedera (Moss temple in Japan) two years ago. We always hear praises of the might of mother nature, how it renders useless men creations and bearing life above the ruins. Well, it's something that is always felt, but never on such a huge scale, and this place IS the place for these contrasts. 30 years after the fallout, while men are still away, the forests, the animals, the plants, it felt like everything is thriving, revived by mother nature. A bit pathos, but I really felt this way."

"For the UV and Infrared photography, I’ve opened my camera and removed the hot-mirror filter (the one which blocks the IR and UV wavelengths), thus turning it to a “Full-Spectrum” camera. Then I’ve ordered IR-Pass and UV-Pass filters to set in front of the lens."

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#1

Simon – A Human-Friendly Fox, Whom Often Approaches Groups In The Exclusion Zone, Asking For Food

Simon – A Human-Friendly Fox, Whom Often Approaches Groups In The Exclusion Zone, Asking For Food

Vladimir Migutin Report

Virgil Blue
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bow to my new mutant fox overlord.

Gina
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

poor hungry creature

Liz Llanes
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love animals and It breaks my heart to see living animals like this one becones isolated due to human error....ahhhhh....when will these so called human beings ever learned????

Chess Wizard
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a poetic twist, the 1,660 square miles of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has become one of Europe’s largest wildlife preserves. Local residents report lynx, wild boar, wolves, elk, deer, brown bears, bison, badgers, foxes, eagle-owls, and even Przewalski’s horse, a species supposedly extinct in the wild for some time. Given that the area is now heavily wooded and free of human predators, such a flourishing of wildlife should continue. Scientists, however, are studying the area's plants and animals for long-term effects of radiation.

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Shruti Naik
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg he's so malnourished! please tell me you gave him a lot of food, maybe he has others to feed as well

Andrew Wozniak
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People giving him food is probably why he looks that way. his body wasn't made for our food and once he has a taste he probably stopped eating anything else.

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Michelle Radford
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad. He's probably riddled with cancer. Poor Simon.

Sandy Clark
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, Simon is something living among the dead. Wonder how much of an influence Chernobyl's fallout had on the DNA of the usually wild and timid foxes. Gosh, my heart goes out to Sweet Sweet Simon.

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    #2

    The Ghost Town Of Pripyat, Ukraine

    The Ghost Town Of Pripyat, Ukraine

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Shruti Naik
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it really looks enchanting more than anything else.

    Sandra Taylor
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if it was'nt such a tragedy that would be really beautiful.

    Michael Pasko
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's always been weird to me how Mayan ruins were just swallowed by the jungle. This is the modern version.

    Sri Fong
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man can live harmlessly among the Mayan ruins whereas Man cannot live like that in Radiation effected areas .

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    Johanna Kidd
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mother Nature is beautifying the neighbourhood

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A true ghost town surrounded by God's splendor

    Amanda Hunter
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its beginning to look really nice.

    Laura Perkinson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. He so right! Nature is reclaiming the land

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    #3

    Butterflies And Flowers In The Forest, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Butterflies And Flowers In The Forest, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Holly Hobby
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its beautiful but everything there is still very radioactive and damaged :(

    Alexa B
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's like they were glowing. Amazing

    Rafaella Bueno
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are infrared photos, so they possibly are. Butterflies can see wavelengths we can't, and some of them glow to attract each other, we just can't see it. Flowers sometimes also glow to call insects to pollinate them.

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    BunnyBlubber
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I've found the inspiration for my next 3d project!

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    #4

    A Lake Within The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    A Lake Within The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Heaven Scott
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow......that is soooo beautiful

    Arnbjörg Williams
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want this picture on my wall! My ENTIRE wall

    Jessica Chortkoff
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If there was this much life on Mars and Venus that would be pretty cool. The infrared filter is creating the effect. I wonder if the radiation shows up with this kind of filter?

    Nara Campbell
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful, but deadly? Are radiation levels high?

    Melissa Nunya
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look up Chernobyl current status. It has a detailed answer ;)

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    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the land, the lake and the clouds all thanks to God's wonder

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The land, the lake and the clouds all acts of Mother Nature (God)

    Myxomatosis
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sure... swim in that.. this was created to dump nuclear waste into. As runoff.

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    #5

    The Iconic 26 Meters Tall Ferris Wheel In Pripyat’s Amusement Park

    The Iconic 26 Meters Tall Ferris Wheel In Pripyat’s Amusement Park

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Melissa Nunya
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is even more creepy is too look up pictures of the Ferris wheel before the incident. It is hard to even grasp it being the same spot.

    Zanjero Johnson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its beautiful but I cannot help but to think of that zombie movie.

    Sierra Iseminger
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I started watching the Chernobyl diaries, thinking it was a documentary that turned out to be a horror movie, is that the one?

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    Maureen Loyacono
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The photos look to me like the set of a horror movie

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hang on for the ride of your life

    Elizabeth Van Auken
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Almost feels like the clouds are gently moving....

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    #6

    The Monumental Trail With The Evacuated Villages’ Names On Either Side

    The Monumental Trail With The Evacuated Villages’ Names On Either Side

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Vanja Timmers
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, never realized it were so many. I was just a kid back then...

    Jim Price
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Without the caption, I might have thought these were grave markers.

    Liz Llanes
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See what human error can do....tsk..tsk..tsk...a painful lesson learned...

    Lex Roberts
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's sad but kind of sweet, remembering the villages that got destroyed.

    Renate Kunst
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bedrückend, wie der Gang durch ein Konzentrationslager....- alles wirk so unwirklich..

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would not like to live on that street too cold for me

    Juana
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So is this like a tourist attraction or something now???

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    #7

    Bumper Cars In Pripyat’s Amusement Park

    Bumper Cars In Pripyat’s Amusement Park

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Eva Teodorescu
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this picture is exactly the barrier between sad ,scary and beautiful at the same time

    Alia G.
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the photos with the plants growing all through everything. It’s kind of metaphorical

    Cavaliergirl
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a post apocalyptic world

    Peggy Schultz
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like the aftermath of Disney's Cars

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    #8

    The Rotting Grand Piano In The Concert Hall Of The Abandoned Town Of Pripyat

    The Rotting Grand Piano In The Concert Hall Of The Abandoned Town Of Pripyat

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    I_AMAFACE
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This makes me feel sad for the piano.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This image makes my brain to create a story about the mysteriously beautiful music that could be heard every day at twilight, before the night comes. The music embraces the ruins making the scenery of a beautiful tragedy. And the main protagonists exploring this place, trying to find out where the music comes from. They find the piano. One of the character tries playing it. And while doing so, everybody witnesses a sad story of the invisible ghost of an aspiring pianist who survived the accident. But his/her life won't last long, as he/she was diagnosed with cancer the day he/she enrolled in university, and died on graduation day.

    Pattie Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A piano that felt many fingers playing on it.

    Phoebe The Great
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The songs that have been played on that thing is what I want to know.

    Shaz Zed
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the Titanic :(

    Rebecca Painter
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unlikely to be rotting as fungi don't grow in radioactive zones. That's why there is so much leaf litter.

    Magduśka
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful retro facilities in amusement park. It will be great pleasure to spend time in a such place. And this photos are for me the most terryfing and make me sad.... especially there will be music, crowd, movement... but there is quiet. These photos shows the tragedy of this place but also how life is. Short, loud and... the end.

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    #9

    Pripyat Sports Hall, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Pripyat Sports Hall, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Jackie C.
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scene from a nightmare...but, there's a doggie

    Liz Llanes
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If only its possible i will exchange this innocent people and poor animals to these so calleld human beings who have caused this disaster to be left alone in Chyrnobyl Ground Zeto and lets see what will happen then....

    E
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some types of animals and plants are actually thriving in the exclusion zone. Scientists are shocked at the pace of recovery.

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    Renate Kunst
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Vor Grausamkeit schön! Das arme Tier...

    Carole Dose
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But the color has to be filtered to make it more dreary.

    Chuck
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and how many people died in Chernobyl??? that would be a big whopping ZERO.

    Chris Hill
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if that isn't a very mal-nourished wolf. I would hate to think of a poor doggie out there all along.

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    #10

    The Bucket (Machine Part) That Was Used To Clean The Roof Of The Failed Reactor After The Fallout, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    The Bucket (Machine Part) That Was Used To Clean The Roof Of The Failed Reactor After The Fallout, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    HG Guy
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a big giant

    Craig Wright
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope this guy had a LOOOOOOONG zoom lens.

    Alani Brave
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can tell you it wasn't shot with a really long lens (I'm a photographer). It could possibly have been taken remotely with a high end drone... If you were just saying you hoped he stayed safe, though, I couldn't agree more!

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    scrappyrat
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the teeeeny tiny radioactive warning sign in front of it. That's a bit of an understatement.

    Janina Prado
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    because that teeny tiny sign will deter even the most determined explorer.

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    Miss Cris
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It makes me think in a time or space capsule which had arrive there... and take the conclusion that the full earth is this (it is indeed?)

    Sunzilla
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How is this thing not radioactive??

    Chelle Jones
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like it has an "Angry" face.

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    #11

    “Duga” Radar System, Used As Part Of The Soviet Anti-Ballistic Missile Early-Warning Network

    “Duga” Radar System, Used As Part Of The Soviet Anti-Ballistic Missile Early-Warning Network

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Elise Mon
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    cool .. love the perspective

    Dawn Valley
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hard to tell from this photo how HUGE this structure is ....

    Miss Cris
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful photo for an awful humanity

    Ged Maybury
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's sideways. Weird. Artistic. but for those that don't know it, it's also a lie.

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    #12

    The Azure Swimming Pool In Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    The Azure Swimming Pool In Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Meep
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think we found the place where Barb got sucked into the Upside Down...*sniffs emotionally*

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    #13

    Abandoned Farm In Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Abandoned Farm In Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Ed Bakker
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if you like this, you should play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl - you'll be walking right in these scenes!

    Sergiu Vlad
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finished all 3 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games a few times already, but what the hell! One more time won't hurt.

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    #14

    The Nuclear Power Plant Sarcophagus, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    The Nuclear Power Plant Sarcophagus, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Kevin Loftus
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not the sarcophagus, Its the new safe confinement (NSC) structure which houses the sarcophagus so the whole reactor building can be taken apart safely.

    Laura Perkinson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    still dead trees next to it. a Disaster of the worst kind for it's lasting effects

    Myxomatosis
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The trees are not dead. This has been shot with infrared film. The colours you are seeing are not natural.

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    Catherine Marcelo
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unless that is made of lead, it is useless, for human safety.

    Tiari
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wrong. Steel and massive concrete are used nowadays and are as effective as lead.

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    Sykz
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am curious if that is going to work?

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    #15

    A Trolleybus In One Of Chernobyl’s Scrapyards

    A Trolleybus In One Of Chernobyl’s Scrapyards

    Vladimir Migutin Report

    Ed Bakker
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    if you like this, you should play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl - you'll be walking right in these scenes!

    Cheryl Richardson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you have any idea what a horror this was? It wasn't and isn't a freaking game!

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    Frank
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this a screenshot of STALKER? Is it monochrome?

    Kim Lorton
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are all because a reactor blew. The largest nuclear accident in history. I find it neither beautiful or neat. People died, the land will take hundreds of years or more to recover, if not longer. Animals in that area, are exposed to nuclear waste. Who knows what kind of dna and generic changes will occur because of this? People in those villages lost everything they had, some lost their lives or loved ones. Infrared pictures or not, this is not something to celebrate, or be awed over. This is a man made disaster, and it should never have happened. To find out why it did, is what is needed.

    Shull GaRett
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    By the way when you look at The Zone now you can see that nature is doing quite well with no people there ;) They even found bacteria and some fungi that actually feed of radiation!

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