28.10.2025 17:55
Street dogs in the Chernobyl region of Ukraine, which have turned blue, have alarmed scientists. While the reason for the dogs' blue coloration remains a mystery, it is being considered that they may have come into contact with a chemical substance.
The street dogs living around Ukraine's Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant have been spotted unusually covered in blue. In a video shared by the organization called "Dogs of Chernobyl," it was observed that the fur of some dogs living in the area turned blue in a short period of time.
In a statement from the organization, it was mentioned, "They were not blue last week. We encountered three blue dogs. We do not know the reason; we are trying to catch them to understand what is happening."
NOT RADIATION, BUT CHEMICAL SUSPICION
Volunteers believe that the dogs have likely come into contact with a chemical substance. After the images spread rapidly on social media, some users claimed that the color change could be related to radiation. However, the organization denied these claims and made the following statement:
"No, they did not turn blue because of radiation; we are not saying such a thing. It just seems that some dogs have come into contact with a blue substance. We are trying to catch them to include them in our sterilization program this week and provide them with treatment."
SCIENTISTS: CHERNOBYL DOGS ARE EVOLVING
In 2024, a research team led by environmental health expert Norman J. Kleiman from Columbia University revealed that the dogs in Chernobyl have developed an extraordinary genetic adaptation. In examinations of blood samples taken from 116 dogs, it was found that the animals had gained genetic resistance to radiation, heavy metals, and other environmental pollutants.
Scientists are trying to conduct detailed tests by taking samples from the dogs to clarify the blue color change.