In Germany, two hunters tested some pig meat and found high levels of radiation about a month ago. The picture you see above is of a wild boar in Germany under a gamma camera that shows radiation levels. Around 3 decades ago, many nuclear weapons were being tested, and the radiation seeped into the ground, tree truffles grew to contain the radiation, and tree truffles are the boar’s primary food source. After they consumed these, they then had the radiation in them.

Scientists still don’t know what effects this could have, but many people have guessed. For example, an INL worker, Stanley Cherry, guesses, “The boar population in Germany will go up since no one is killing them, and other animals that eat boar will go up since they have a bigger food supply.” This is a very logical guess and many other people around agreed with him on this statement. Other people also have their guesses about what effects may happen. Hayden Cherry is a 6th grader who goes to Ethel Boyes Elementary, and she thinks, “They will probably die and not affect us.” Any of these could be true, but we just don’t know yet.

Some people think that this could be a big deal, while others think not so much, but we know the radiation makes the pigs more aggressive and they are incredibly protective of their young. Scientists don’t know what the future has for the pigs or the surrounding people, but they are trying to figure it out. Few people know about this topic, so it’s important to share the information so I can inform people about what’s happening.