The nuclear accident at Chernobyl has rendered the area around the abandoned plant off-limits to humans since the 1986 accident. Prior to the current war animal life has been rebounding in part due to human absence. Researchers have been studying the animal life and believe cancer fighting wolves are an adaptation to the aftermath.
According to The Sun researchers have been studying Chernobyl area wolves since 2014 and have concluded the animals have developed genetic mutations that help protect them from forms of cancer. The study results may help humans in their battle with disease.
“New research shows that wolves living in the exclusion zone are genetically different to those living outside of the region.
Evolutionary biologist Cara Love has tracked the wolves’ adaptation since 2014, when she visited the exclusion zone with her colleagues and placed GPS collars equipped with radiation dosimeters around the animals’ necks”
The research has been interrupted by the war. But indications are that the cancer fighting wolves were exposed to about 6 times the daily amount of radiation that would be considered safe for humans. Their genetic makeup was different than that of other wolves outside the area. The cancer fighting wolves had higher amount of cancer resistant genetic material and their immune systems were different too.
Animals are in the forefront of cancer research as some have strong anti-cancer properties or other adaptations, For example, Octopus ink appears to have a compound that kills cancer cells. Certain ants can “smell” some cancers, even though they lack true noses. They can detect compounds released by cancer cells and are cheap and easily maintained. They also learn quickly and respond well to reward training.