Could these animals save humankind? Scientists are studying dogs at the site of a nuclear accident in Ukraine.
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The very odd dogs living in nuclear wasteland
Could these animals save humankind? Scientists are studying dogs at the site of a nuclear accident in Ukraine.
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What's happening?
Prancer is a friendly animal. She jumps and barks just like other dogs.
But there is something amazing about Prancer. She lives in ChernobylThe disaster, in 1986, involved a meltdown at a nuclear plant in Ukraine. in UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. , where there was once a huge nuclear accident.
In the 1980s, there was a big nuclear powerNuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom - a tiny piece of matter. It can be used to create electricity. station in the town of Chernobyl. It made lots of energy.
But one day in April 1986, there was a huge accident. RadiationEnergy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer. was released over a big area.
Too much radiation can make people sick and give them deadly illnesses. People who lived near Chernobyl had to leave their homes and never return.
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The people left so quickly that many of them left behind their pets. This was nearly 40 years ago now. Today, there are lots of dogs that still live in Chernobyl. Somehow, they have survived.
Scientists want to understand why. Some animals that live in Chernobyl have become sick. But the dogs seem to be doing well.
The scientists think that if they can understand how the radiation has changed the dogs, it will help us to know what would happen to a human who lived near a nuclear accident.
And as the war in Ukraine continues, many think this task is more important than ever.
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Could these animals save humankind?
Yes! The more we know, the better chance we have of saving ourselves from any dangers. These dogs could help us understand how to survive if there is ever another nuclear accident.
No! The dogs of Chernobyl are still just dogs. They will be very different to humans. They can only teach us so much.
Keywords
Chernobyl - The disaster, in 1986, involved a meltdown at a nuclear plant in Ukraine.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Nuclear power - Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom - a tiny piece of matter. It can be used to create electricity.
Radiation - Energy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer.
The very odd dogs living in nuclear wasteland
Survivors: An estimated 900 dogs live in the Exclusion Zone at Chernobyl. Glossary
Chernobyl - The disaster, in 1986, involved a meltdown at a nuclear plant in Ukraine.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Nuclear power - Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom — a tiny piece of matter. It can be used to create electricity.
Radiation - Energy given off when radioactive material decays. It can be extremely harmful and sometimes fatal, causing vomiting, skin damage, hair loss and cancer.