Chernobyl Research Initiative

Nice video of Dr Andrii Simon risking his life to install one of our many wildlife cameras in the Chornobyl zone. Thanks to Dr Jennifer Betz (Dogs of Chornobyl Medical Director) and Clean Futures Fund for posting.

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYFGoa2POEn/

For nearly three decades, the Chernobyl Research Initiative, led by Timothy Mousseau through the University of South Carolina, has monitored wildlife diversity and ecological changes within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Working alongside Andrew Simon and featured through the Chernobyl Wild YouTube channel, the team studies how animals survive and adapt in one of the most unique environments on Earth. In coordination with the Dogs of Chernobyl, we work closely with Dr. Mousseau and his team to help gather vital genetic information about the dogs living within the exclusion zone. During our spay and neuter campaigns, blood samples are collected from the animals so researchers can perform DNA sequencing and better understand the genetics, health, and long-term population dynamics of these incredible dogs. This collaboration combines wildlife research with hands-on veterinary care to help both the animals and the scientific understanding of life inside Chornobyl.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2026.02.004

Redirecting

A nice story in VIN:

Caring for and learning from the dogs of Chornobyl Researchers probe radiation's effect on animals following nuclear disasters

Another bear sighting from our cameras in Chornobyl:

Eurasian Brown Bear (Subspecies Ursus arctos arctos) Eurasian Brown Bear from CH78 on September 11, 2025 at 11:32 PM by chornobyl_research_initiative

Rabbit and Owl.gif

RUN RABBIT RUN!!

Here is a very cool sequence of photos from one of our cameras in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone showing a hare evading attack by an owl!

Photo credit to T. Mousseau and A. Simon (c) 2023. Thanks to Ari for finding the photos.

Rabbit and Owl.gif

‘Hot Wasps’ Found at Nuclear Facility in South Carolina (Gift Article) Four radioactive wasp nests may indicate previously undetected environmental contamination at the decades-old Savannah River Site. Here’s what to know.

In the news:

‘Hot Wasps’ Found at Nuclear Facility in South Carolina (Gift Article) Four radioactive wasp nests may indicate previously undetected environmental contamination at the decades-old Savannah River Site. Here’s what to know.

Our latest paper shows an interaction between radiation, climate change, and physiological performance in Chornobyl (Chernobyl) barn swallows.

Radioactive contamination and climate warming affect physiological performance of Chornobyl barn swallows Global warming and degradation of natural habitats are the two main factors causing ecophysiological stress on individuals and risk for biodiversity. Hyperthermia is a common response to stress in homeothermic animals, in particular to heat, pathogens and environmental contamination. Resilience of b...

Our latest Dogs of Chornobyl paper just out!

Contrasting pathogen prevalence between tick and dog populations at Chornobyl - Parasites & Vectors Background The 1986 disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant released massive amounts of radioactive material into the local environment. In addition to radiation, remediation efforts and abandonment of military-industrial complexes contributed to contamination with heavy metals, organics, pest...