On April 26th 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, at the time part of the USSR, exploded, spreading radioactive material across the nearby area. Recently, bright blue dogs have been spotted by researchers in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone surrounding the plant.

Many animals have undergone genetic changes to adapt to or otherwise related to the radiation within the zone, such as how wolves have been recorded as unusually resistant to cancer. The Clean Futures Fund’s Dogs of Chernobyl, which performs testing, vaccination, and population control for the dogs, has noted that there has been a difference in the dogs located inside the zone to those outside, but proving that those changes are caused by radiation is difficult. According to a study in 2024, the dogs genetic differences are most likely genetic drift caused by being a isolated population.

However, the dogs change in color is most likely due to rolling around in blue dye – probably from a leaking porta potty according to a statement to Popular Mechanics, from the website Storyful.

Jennifer Betz, a veterinary medical director for the Dogs of Chernobyl program, in a interview with Newsweek, said “We attempted several times to catch these dogs; however, these particular dogs are extremely fearful of people and need to be blow darted to capture,” she said. “We, unfortunately, were not successful in catching these particular dogs this time.” (O’Connell, Oct. 30th).

After the explosion the citizens of Pripyat were evacuated and told they would return in three days, but they never returned, and left their lives behind, including their pets. According to the Clean Futures Fund’s Dogs of Chernobyl program there are over 700 dogs and 100 cats that reside in the zone.