Wildlife Takeover: How Animals Reclaimed Chernobyl | Free Documentary Nature

Where humans move out, wildlife moves in. On the edge of Europe, a deserted location reveals the answer. An abandoned village can change in a very short time into a sanctuary for plants, birds and animals. Shy and rare species, some thought to be on the brink of extinction are found in robust good health. This is Chernobyl, deserted by people after the worst nuclear disaster in history and now reclaimed by a remarkable collection of wildlife and the descendants of pets that were left behind This film unmasks the surprising faces of the new inhabitants. In houses here people once lived and laughed, left behind treasures of their childhood, unexpected wildlife is making itself a home. It's quite unimaginable what it means to have to flee and leave everything behind. A quantum of solace: the adventures of a rather adorable cast of non-human characters give viewers a rare glimpse into an alternative world. It's cute and creepy at the same time, probably because we know why these animals are here. Anyways, enjoy!

Some people here don't seem to appreciate how hard it is to make a nature documentary. I was impressed by the shots they were able to make and how it was all edited together into a story.

"They wont see a human being." The non-human cameraman: Damn straight

Watching that Bear slide down the roof on his belly was the shot of a lifetime. Bears are hilarious.

I am amazed at how these guys managed to shoot such impressive images and tell a story. This documentary deserves an award

This documentary was released in 2007, so now it's 15 years old. I hope to see a follow-up documentary that shows us how this 20-year-old abandoned town is doing after 40 years.

The mother cat was so brave. Gives me so much appreciation for mothers. Also, the wolf and his mate starting a family in his house. Damn. Feels like sth out of a fairy tale.

Something about the journey of the mother cat is so hauntingly beautiful. She creates a home for her kittens and find happiness with humans once more.

I was so moved with mom cat’s way of life. She educates her kitten how to live out in such a harsh environment and she never forgets to live as “home - cat” her grandma taught her -Now she is a owner of the house human has forsaken ‼️❤

Was hoping the whole time the cats would find a friendly babushka who takes them in and lets them live in her warm mice filled barn.

The 3 factions of the documentary: Kitty family Lone wolf And bear brothers

The ending with the cat mother moved me to tears. I had been pulling for a proper resolution for her and her kittens. Thank you so much for this documentary. It was beautiful.

Astounding, heart-breaking and shameful that we are more deadly to nature than an insane amount of radiation. 😞 Excellent work, filming this. Thank you! ❤️

That ending where the cat comes full circle to become a house cat was all kinds of wholesome. I like to imagine the filmmakers told the home owner she was from the radiation zone, and they got to see her journey of struggle and the road that led her to them. Fantastic documentary and storytelling.

Science prediction: wide spread mutation Reality: Worms start bangin

It’s nice to see even a little bit of sliver lining in a tragedy like Chernobyl and see a place were animals and wildlife are truly protected from human intervention or harm :)

I really like how this documentary didn't show us how the animals were killed (in detail), because it usually is very traumatic to watch it in other ones. Thank you for a wonderful documentary!

Mother Cat: We are house cats, we have lived in houses for generations untold. This house was past down to me by my mother and owned by her mother before her. but now we must leave my children

I was cheering for the cats. They had quite a struggle. On the other hand, the bear brothers were really living a good life. I am surprised that a cat living in the wild could still be a house cat. I hope the kittens found a home too. Excellent documentary! I don't know how they can film animals in action like that.

What a lovely , heartening documentary on what is a disaster area. I was so happy the cat found a new home at the end. I hope the kittens survived. It''s amazing how Nature has reclaimed and, made a paradise for animals, who don't seem to be suffering from the effects of radiation.