After Fukushima: Wild Boars

Six years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Anybody living within 12 miles of the radioactive area were evacuated. Since 2011, no humans have lived in the toxic lands. In there place, wild life placed their roots into the area not unlike Chernobyl. In Japan, the area deemed as unsafe for humans became a residential hot spot for a particular species: the wild boars. With a rapid rate of reproduction, these animals thrived in a location that had no human interference. While they do eat the mutated and radioactive plants, they themselves do not seem to have been affected by the radiation. Their consumption of the plants make them radioactive though.

The success of the wild boars in the radioactive area in Fukushima comes at a human cost. As the creatures came down from the mountains and greatly increased their population, they also caused a lot harm to the agriculture. The wild boars eat crops in the Fukushima and Namie area, which cost Japan over $900,000 in damages. Plus, they are known to attack humans when in a rage.

Hunters have been trying to reduce the population, but their efforts look rather fruitless. Even if a large number is killed, the wild boars can repopulate quickly and have no natural predators. So, they stay in the area even if hunters are sent. Also, the meat cannot be sold since it is inedible. The human population is nil and it is comfortable with food. This is a problem not only for hunters or farmers in surrounding areas (not radioactive), but also for the evacuated people. Recently, the Japanese government planned to revoke housing subsidies of numerous evacuees. This will force many to have to decide between reentering a dangerous environment to call home, or facing heavy financial struggles. Given the choice, many would say no. Now, it is a race for the wild boars and evacuees to see where they can make a home.

What do you think should be done about these situations in Japan? Opinions? How should the wild boars be dealt with? What alternative is there for the evacuees that the government may not have thought of?

Discuss in the comments!

Wild Boar/Pig Facts

Sources Links:
The Japan Times
The Guardian
The Independent
The Washington Post
Japan Today
CNBC