In a first-of-its-kind research initiative in 2017, scientists from the University of South Carolina and elsewhere launched Dogs of the Chernobyl Research Initiative. The aim of the study was understand how a nuclear disaster affected the DNA of dogs left in the exclusion zone. The team took samples from hundreds of dogs roaming the area and found that they had distinct genetic characteristics compared to dogs from other parts of the world.

While scientists are still studying the potential long-term effects of these animals’ radiation exposure, the discovery could help improve preparedness for future nuclear accidents, the researchers say. The team’s findings were published this month in the journal Science Advances.

“We found that there are two main populations of dogs in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: those that live in the industrial areas of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and those that live about 15 kilometers away in a residential area called Chernobyl.“, lead author Gabriella Spatola told Gizmodo. Spatola is a Research Fellow in Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics who studies dog genes at the National Human Genome Research Institute.

It is still unclear exactly how the Chernobyl radiation physically affected these dogs and their genetic origins, but according to the scientists behind the study, this is the next step in the study.

“The Chernobyl dog population provides a unique opportunity to study the long-term effects of radiation on a population closely related to humans in the natural environment.Spatola said.Nuclear disasters will inevitably occur, and the information we can gain from studying their impact on local populations will provide important insights into how we can best prepare for the future.“

Abandonment and survival

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred in 1986 in the abandoned Ukrainian city of Pripyat is considered one of the most infamous accidents in history. The initial explosion and subsequent fires at the plant released radioactive materials into the environment, creating a 1,600 square kilometer zone around the plant known as the Chernobyl exclusion zone, where the increased radiation is considered more life-threatening.

In addition to several workers who died in the accident, many pets, including dogs, were abandoned in the area while other people tried to rescue them. It is estimated that at least thousands of people have died or developed cancer as a result of radiation exposure. The immediate effects have also been devastating to local wildlife.

In the two large dog populations identified by the Spatola team, they found a total of 15 families. However, scientists also observed a lot of migration and genetic mixing, with the largest family containing dogs being found in all locations studied. In addition, the team found several purebred dogs, mostly herding breeds, he said.

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Via: Gizmodo Source: Science Advances

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