New facts about dogs inhabiting the Chernobyl exclusion zone have emerged

Dogs in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Evolving Rapidly, Scientists Say

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Researchers have established new facts about three populations of feral dogs living in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone, the Kulik news agency reports.

"It turned out that the population from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant had the greatest genetic isolation. However, it is unknown when it appeared, before or immediately after the disaster," Kulik noted.

According to scientists, in addition to dogs from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, there are also populations of four-legged animals in the abandoned Chernobyl and near the city of Slavutych, where people still live.

According to the study, radiation contamination in the exclusion zone affected the DNA of dogs, accelerating their evolution, but currently there are no changes in their appearance.

Perhaps it was information about the “useful” properties of radiation that prompted Ukrainian agronomists to previously announce the development of a method for the reclamation of Chernobyl land.