A wasp nest found in July in South Carolina tested for radiation levels 10 times higher than the legal limit. The site once housed facilities for nuclear weapons production and is currently in use for nuclear material for power plants.
The United States Department of Energy confirmed the nest was safely removed and disposed as nuclear waste, posing no risk to the public or environment. The report notes that wasps that lived within the nest would have significantly lower radiation levels than the nest itself.
Critics, however, questioned the government's response, claiming there was no investigation followed to find out if any of the 43 waste tanks still in use have any leaks that could prove a danger in the area.
This is not the first time animals have been found radioactive in former nuclear sites.
Chernobyl in particular is known for its fauna. The disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, resulting in the evacuation of the city of Pripyat, although animals continued to reside in the region. After more than 35 years, certain species have flourished, while others have faced significant consequences, and even new species have been introduced. But how did these animals respond to radiation exposure? What were the effects of living in and around the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone?
Click on to learn more about the animals that call Chernobyl their home.