Rare Red Book animal discovered in Chornobyl Exclusion Zone
During field work in the exclusion zone, scientists from the Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Department of Radiobiology and Radioecology) recorded a rare species of rodent - the wood mouse.
As reported by the Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve, the species affiliation was also confirmed by employees of its scientific department.
"It resembles a wood mouse in appearance, but has a much longer tail. In addition, this species has a more vulnerable status," the Reserve noted.
The wood mouse is listed:
- in the Red Book of Ukraine (category "rare species");
- in the European Red List (as a species close to extinction);
- in Appendix II of the Bern Convention (species of fauna subject to special protection);
- to Annex II of the EU Directive 92/43/EU (species of special interest to the EU and requiring the creation of special protection areas).
"This discovery once again confirms the high conservation value of the territory of the Reserve and the importance of further research and monitoring of biodiversity in the exclusion zone," the message emphasized.
We will remind you that the Przewalski's horse nicknamed White-headed, which lives in the Chornobyl Biosphere Reserve, has found a young friend. Before that, experts considered him a loner. This unexpected discovery not only touched the researchers, but also became important evidence of changes in the animal's behavior and the possible emergence of a new herd.