Due to global warming, human conflicts, and destruction of natural ecosystems many natural species are endangered or on the verge of extinction. However, due to the exclusion zone surrounding Chernobyl that currently exists and will continue to exist for generations a unique opportunity exists to create a sanctuary for a variety of species that exist (the wolf, brown bear, lynx and moose) or relatives of ones that once existed in Europe (the Asiatic lion, leopard, spotted hyena, dhole, horse, cattle, Asiatic wild ass, Asiatic elephant, hippopotamus, water buffalo and hairy rhinoceros) the with minimal impact on surrounding inhabitants.
The United States should use its position as a world power to encourage and assist the governments of Ukraine and Belarus to create such a sanctuary.