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Changes in wildlife activity patterns in response to war in Ukraine
Svitlana Kudrenko1,2,3, Richard Bischof4, Andreas Zedrosser3,5
1Frankfurt Zoological Society, Frankfurt, Germany.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 18, 2026
Summary
Armed conflict significantly impacts wildlife behavior, causing reduced nocturnal activity. Camera trapping reveals real-time ecological effects of war on animals in conflict zones like Chornobyl.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Wildlife Biology
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Conflict zones present research challenges, leading to knowledge gaps on immediate environmental impacts.
- Understanding wildlife responses to armed conflict is crucial for conservation efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of armed conflict on wildlife activity patterns.
- To assess behavioral adjustments of mammals during the Russian occupation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.
Main Methods:
- Utilized camera-trap detections to monitor mammal activity.
- Compared wildlife activity data from 2022 (during conflict) with 2021 (pre-conflict).
Main Results:
- Mammal species exhibited immediate behavioral changes in response to armed conflict.
- Reduced activity was observed during nighttime and on days with intensified conflict.
- Data highlights real-time wildlife behavioral adjustments to war.
Conclusions:
- Camera trapping is an effective tool for quantifying the ecological effects of war.
- Wildlife demonstrates rapid adaptation to anthropogenic disturbances like armed conflict.
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