Chernobyl, Site of World's Worst Nuclear Accident, Becomes Wildlife Haven

The area surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has become a wildlife haven just two decades after an explosion and fire sent clouds of radioactive particles drifting over the fields of the Ukrainian countryside.

Maria Urupa says the wilderness is encroaching. Packs of wolves have eaten two of her dogs and wild boars trample through her cornfield. And she says fox, rabbits and snakes infest the meadows near her cottage.

Pictured at right is one of the fish recently caught in the nearby Pripyat river.