Chernobyl Dogs Turn Blue

Several stray dogs in the Ukraine — Chernobyl exclusion zone have mysteriously turned blue, baffling caretakers from Dogs of Chernobyl and scientists. The organization, part of Clean Futures Fund, discovered the dogs with bright blue fur, which appeared within a week, and is attempting to catch them for testing. While the dogs appear active and healthy, experts speculate the color change could be due to contact with an unknown chemical substance, such as cobalt or copper sulphate, or other industrial waste in the highly contaminated area. This discovery has renewed global attention on the fragile ecology of the Ukraine — Chernobyl exclusion zone, nearly 40 years after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Researchers from Columbia University, led by Norman J. Kleiman, previously found that Chernobyl's dogs have developed unique genetic traits making them resilient to radiation.