Return of the Snake-Eater: Chernobyl’s Rewilding Surprises

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Discover how the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has become a wildlife revival hotspot—bringing back majestic birds of prey in unexpected ways.

What We Knew

The Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), a high-soaring predator of snakes, once had a stable presence across Ukraine. Now, its numbers in Chernobyl have dwindled to just one known breeding pair. These eagles build lofty nests atop tall trees and strike from the sky—feeding almost exclusively on reptiles (birdwatchinghq.com, biotaxa).


The Chernobyl Transformation

With human absence, flooded fields, and regenerating forests, the CEZ’s ecology has been dramatically reshaped. Wetland raptors like the Greater Spotted Eagle and White-tailed Eagle have flourished, with populations climbing markedly (wilderness-society.org).

Why the Decline?

  • Increased competition from new apex raptors.
  • Documented cases of nest predation by larger eagles.
  • Changes in prey availability and habitat structure.

These pressures have made survival harder for the Short-toed Snake Eagle (study link).

What It Means

Chernobyl has become a living laboratory for wildlife rewilding and predator dynamics. Some species flourish, while others—like the “snake-eater”—struggle to reclaim their place in this shifting ecosystem.

“Greater Spotted Eagle, once locally extinct, now breeds again in CEZ.”

“Short-toed Snake Eagle declined from three to one pair amid habitat shifts.”

— 22-year raptor monitoring study
Greater Spotted Eagle in Chernobyl

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