Why are Chernobyl’s dogs turning blue? The baffling mystery of the exclusion zone hounds

The mysterious story of Chernobyl’s dogs turning blue

A strange phenomenon in Chernobyl has left scientists and residents puzzled after several stray dogs living near the abandoned nuclear power plant were spotted with bright blue fur.

These animals are believed to be descendants of pets left behind during the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. They are currently cared for by Dogs of Chernobyl, an organisation supported by the Clean Futures Fund, which provides shelter, food, and medical assistance to hundreds of strays within the exclusion zone.

Recently, the group shared a video showing a few dogs with vivid blue coats during a sterilisation drive. Caretakers said they were unsure about the cause of the colour change and were trying to capture the animals for testing.

In an Instagram post, the organisation wrote, “Blue dogs found in Chornobyl, a very unique experience we have to discuss. While catching dogs for sterilisation, we came across three that were completely blue. We’re not sure exactly what’s going on. Locals have been asking us about it, too. We suspect they’ve come into contact with some sort of chemical. They appear healthy and active, but we haven’t been able to catch them yet.”

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According to World Population Review, around 500 people currently live in the Chernobyl area. Before the 1986 disaster, the city had a thriving population of about 14,000, while the nearby city of Pripyat, located even closer to the reactor, was home to more than 50,000 residents before being evacuated.

Chernobyl disaster, 1986

The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 caused a reactor explosion at the Unit 4 power plant in Ukraine, releasing radioactive material into the air and forcing residents to evacuate within a 30-kilometer radius. Many pets were left behind and had to survive on their own, giving rise to the population of strays seen today.

Since 2017, Dogs of Chernobyl and the Clean Futures Fund have been sterilising, vaccinating, and providing care for over 700 dogs across the 18-square-mile exclusion zone.

Chernobyl’s abandoned towns and thriving wildlife have long fascinated scientists and visitors alike. Despite radiation levels still being several times higher than safe limits in some areas, the zone has become an unexpected wildlife refuge, now home to wolves, bears, lynxes, bison, and rare Przewalski’s horses.

A 2024 study by Columbia University found that stray dogs in the exclusion zone have developed unique genetic mutations that may help them endure prolonged exposure to radiation and heavy metals.

For now, the mystery of Chernobyl’s blue dogs remains unsolved, but their resilience continues to captivate scientists and animal lovers worldwide.