Blue dogs spotted roaming Chernobyl nuclear disaster site as scientists left baffled by bizarre animals

One large pack was filmed sitting in the abandoned area.

As well as the distinctive blue-coloured animals, they were accompanied by brown and black-looking canines.

Alongside the video, the team wrote: "They were not blue last week. We do not know the reason, and we are attempting to catch them so we can find out what is happening.

"Most likely, they’re getting into some sort of chemical."

They added that despite their strange appearances, the canines were deemed "very active and healthy".

The organisation provides dogs, descendants of pets left behind following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, with food and medical attention each year.

The disaster, one of the most catastrophic nuclear accidents in history, was a power surge that caused an explosion and fire, releasing massive amounts of radiation into the atmosphere and surrounding areas.

Social media users have begun to theorise about the strange colour.

One wrote: "Those blue-tinged fur is a result of external contamination from chemicals, which can be washed off."

Another added: "Surprised these dogs are still fertile enough to breed, having been in contact with the contaminated area for so long."

A 2024 study found that the dogs had mutated to develop immunity to radiation, which is currently six times the allowed exposure limit for human workers in the area.

The disaster was caused by a combination of a flawed reactor design and human error during a safety test in 1986.

A power surge in the RBMK reactor led to two explosions that destroyed the reactor and released a large amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere.

Tens of thousands of locals living in the surrounding area and the workforce were evacuated on short notice, meaning many belongings were left behind, including pets.

Long-term health effects like acute radiation syndrome and thyroid cancer have been discovered in those affected by the disaster.

Two plant workers were killed in the initial explosion.

In the following weeks and months, 28 emergency workers died from acute radiation syndrome.

Around 116,000 people were evacuated from the area within 36 hours, and a 30-kilometre exclusion zone was later established, leading to the evacuation of approximately 68,000 more people.