Hunters in California have reported a bizarre and unsettling discovery: wild pigs with neon blue flesh. The finding has triggered an urgent health warning as experts investigate what’s behind the alarming phenomenon.
The Strange Discovery
Dan Burton, owner of a wildlife control company in Monterey County, California, is no stranger to trapping wild pigs. But earlier this year, he was stunned when one pig revealed “blueberry blue, neon-blue flesh” beneath its skin.
“I’m not talking about a little blue,” Burton told the Los Angeles Times. “I’m talking about neon blue.”
Reports of blue-fleshed pigs aren’t new. Hunters in Morgan Hill, California, reported similar cases in 2015, even sharing photos online of wild pigs with strange blue fatty tissue.
What’s Turning Pigs Blue?
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, the bizarre coloration is likely caused by rodenticide exposure.
Specifically, pigs may be ingesting pesticide bait laced with diphacinone, a toxic anticoagulant rodenticide dyed bright blue to distinguish it as poison. The chemical is widely used to control rats, mice, and ground squirrels, but non-target wildlife — including wild pigs — may consume it.
As a result, the blue pigmentation appears in fatty tissues and organs, signaling dangerous contamination.
Why Eating Blue Pigs Is Dangerous
Officials warn the public not to eat pigs with blue flesh. Cooking the meat does not remove the poison, and consuming contaminated pork could lead to secondary exposure to rodenticides.
The toxic substance can linger in animal tissues long after ingestion, posing a serious risk to human health.
Expert Warning
In a recent news release, CDFW Pesticide Investigations Coordinator Dr. Ryan Bourbour cautioned hunters and consumers:
“Hunters should be aware that the meat of game animals, such as wild pig, deer, bear, and geese, might be contaminated if that game animal has been exposed to rodenticides. Rodenticide exposure can be a concern for non-target wildlife in areas where applications occur in close proximity to wildlife habitat.”
Anyone who discovers animals with blue tissue is urged to report it immediately to the CDFW Wildlife Health Lab at [email protected] or by phone at (916) 358-2790.
A Growing Wildlife Health Concern
While only a handful of these blue pig cases have been confirmed, experts fear the problem may be more widespread than reported, particularly in areas where rodenticide use is heavy.
The case serves as a stark reminder that toxic chemicals meant for pest control can enter the food chain, with potentially devastating effects on both wildlife and humans.
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