Mystery behind Chernobyl's ‘Blue Dogs' finally solved

Experts have solved the mystery behind blue dogs living in Chernobyl, which created a firestorm on the internet.

A program called “Dogs in Chernobyl” has been taking care of the 700 dogs living in the area since 2017, providing food and necessary medical care. These dogs are believed to be descendants of the pets left behind by residents after one of human-history’s most catastrophic nuclear disasters in Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Images of the dogs shared in October showed three dogs changing their fur colors to blue, but the new images released earlier this week suggest that animals are completely normal.

A member of the organization, Timothy A Mousseau, said that there was nothing to worry about as the change in fur color was due to “dogs’ unsanitary behaviour”.

He said that it was due to a tipped-over potty, adding that every dog owner knows that dogs eat everything including feces.

The update comes after netizens shared several conspiracy theories online with the “radiation causing the color change” being most prominent.

Some appear surprised to see the animals surviving in the area despite being exposed to harmful radiations. A 2024 study revealed that dogs have adapted to the environment, becoming immune to radiation.

Previously, it was discovered that fungus in the area was not only surviving but thriving in the radioactive environment. NASA was considering creating bricks of the radiation eating fungus for lunar construction.