Japan to begin cull of nuclear zone livestock

AFP reports Japan will begin to cull livestock within the 20km evacuation zone who have been abandoned since the government denied re-entry to the area following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Owners deserted livestock in the Fukushima prefecture, including more than 10,000 cattle, once the nuclear plant’s cooling system was knocked out. Radiation leaked into the area’s air, ground and sea leading the government to declare the 20km area a no-go zone.  

The prefecture was asked Thursday to cull livestock within the evacuation zone upon receiving approval from the animals’ owners.

The decision to cull the animals was a last resort when owners were unable to care for animals.

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Source: AFP

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