On April 26 1986, reactor n° 4 at Cherbobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine melted down, exploding and releasing dangerous radioactive waste into the surrounding area. The whole of Europe was affected, some areas to this day, and the disaster is known as the worst peacetime nuclear disaster of the 20th century.
Source: Woodz.co
The people living in the nearby towns and villages were evacuated, although some refused to leave. Some towns, like Prypyat, have been abandoned ever since, with tourists and photographers finding a ghost town, frozen in time in April 1986.
Source: Clean Futures Fund
30 years have passed since the catastrophe and, even though there is still a 30 km exclusion zone around the remains of the power plant, life has started to return to the area.
Source: Clean Futures Fund
Aside from the plants and trees which have been growing through the abandoned buildings for several years, there are 750 dogs living in the exclusion zone. According to theClean Futures Fund, an association which helps fund the cleanup of the power plant, these dogs live alongside wolves who have been breeding and thriving despite the dangerous levels of radiation.
Source: Clean Futures Fund
The 3500 people who work within the exclusion zone have been trying to look after these animals, but don't have the knowledge or money to give them the veterinary care that some of them desperately need.TheClean Futures Fundhas therefore launched a campaign,Dogs of Chernobyl, which will fund vaccinations against rabies, spay and neuter the animals, and provide them with health essentials, such as worming tablets. The only other option offered by the Ukrainian government is to cull the stray dogs.
Source: Clean Futures Fund
The association hopes to raise $80,000 dollars to fund their 3 year program. As of now, just over $21,000 has been donated.
Source: Clean Futures Fund
Chernobyl's dogs are descended from pets that were left behind during the evacuation, who were not allowed to take their beloved companions with them and were also assured that they would only be gone a few days. Sadly, this was not the case, and the government sent soldiers to shoot the now stray animals. However, many escaped the cull and formed colonies, breeding and producing the dogs that we see today.If you would like to donate to help Chernobyl's dogs, you can click here to make a donation.
Source: Clean Futures Fund
H/t: Sciences et avenir
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