Hundreds of radioactive boars have taken over Japanese towns near Fukushima’s nuclear plant that have been abandoned since the 2011 nuclear crisis there, creating a problem as Japan prepares to lift some evacuation orders.
After a meltdown at the nuclear plant six years ago, thousands of residents were forced out of their towns, which was basically an invitation to wild boars to flood the area looking for food, according to CNBC.
The boars came into the deserted communities, which exposed the wild animals to unsafe radiation levels. Many of these boars have found comfort in abandoned homes and have become accustomed to roaming the streets.
Japan plans to lift evacuation orders on four towns near the Fukushima plant, but officials will have to hunt the boars down before it can be considered safe for people to return to their homes, The New York Times noted.
The boars, which have radioactive levels 300 times higher than what’s considered safe, have been known to attack humans on occasion.
This makes it extremely risky for residents to return to their homes, even if it’s just to get certain valuables that were left behind.
According to CNBC, 160,000 residents fled after the nuclear accident six years ago, and only half of them have returned to their residences at any point since then.
The government is being heavily criticized for their decision to lift evacuations, as they’re being accused of minimizing the seriousness of the conditions of these towns.
“Many may be forced to return to contaminated communities against their wishes because they cannot afford to stay where they are currently living,” a report states, according to CNBC.
“This is economic coercion, not a choice freely made,” the report continued.
The report also states that the government’s decision is a violation of human rights, especially “for women and children.”