A colony of pigs in the Exumas, a group of islands within the Bahamian archipelago, have become an Internet and tourist sensation. Click through the gallery to see more of the swimming swine:
A colony of pigs in the Exumas, a group of islands within the Bahamian archipelago, have become an Internet and tourist sensation. Click through the gallery to see more of the swimming swine:
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As the Exumas became a playground for the rich and famous in the 1980s and 1990s, locals who had their pigs in pens at home relocated the smelly, messy animals to a more secluded spot.
As the Exumas became a playground for the rich and famous in the 1980s and 1990s, locals who had their pigs in pens at home relocated the smelly, messy animals to a more secluded spot.
EarthBeat LLC
Up until as recently as the 1990s, locals would use Big Major as a farm, slaughtering the animals as needs arose. In recent years, the subsistence aspect has disappeared, though there are no laws formally protecting the pigs.
Up until as recently as the 1990s, locals would use Big Major as a farm, slaughtering the animals as needs arose. In recent years, the subsistence aspect has disappeared, though there are no laws formally protecting the pigs.
EarthBeat LLC
Although numbers ebb and flow, there are about 30 to 40 animals on the island at any given time.
Although numbers ebb and flow, there are about 30 to 40 animals on the island at any given time.
EarthBeat LLC
Earlier this year, volunteers formed the Official Swimming Pigs Association, a nonprofit devoted to caring for the pigs. Among their jobs is monitoring the pigs' diet.
Earlier this year, volunteers formed the Official Swimming Pigs Association, a nonprofit devoted to caring for the pigs. Among their jobs is monitoring the pigs' diet.
EarthBeat LLC
The pigs also eat what visitors feed them. This is why they hit the ocean when they hear boats. After some pigs died in 2017, the volunteers put up signs so the pigs don't get fed anything harmful.
The pigs also eat what visitors feed them. This is why they hit the ocean when they hear boats. After some pigs died in 2017, the volunteers put up signs so the pigs don't get fed anything harmful.
EarthBeat LLC
Peter Nicholson, partner and director of GIV Bahamas, decided in 2013 to market the Exumas using the pigs.
Peter Nicholson, partner and director of GIV Bahamas, decided in 2013 to market the Exumas using the pigs.
EarthBeat LLC
The pigs have become a smash hit, and they even have their own Instagram page and Twitter account (both @pigsofparadise).
The pigs have become a smash hit, and they even have their own Instagram page and Twitter account (both @pigsofparadise).
EarthBeat LLC
Nicholson hired T.R. Todd, a former business editor at the Nassau Guardian, to get the word out about the pigs. In addition to hiring a filmmaker to make a short promo, Todd wrote a book about the porkers, called<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPigs-Paradise-Story-World-Famous-Swimming%2Fdp%2F1510738851%2Fref%3Das_li_ss_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26linkCode%3Dll1%26tag%3Dtravel0410-20%26linkId%3D4b51f048738223bad2b259508fc9b0c5%26language%3Den_US" target="_blank" target="_blank"> "Pigs of Paradise,"</a> which will hit shelves in October. <br />
Nicholson hired T.R. Todd, a former business editor at the Nassau Guardian, to get the word out about the pigs. In addition to hiring a filmmaker to make a short promo, Todd wrote a book about the porkers, called "Pigs of Paradise," which will hit shelves in October.
EarthBeat LLC
There's even a full-length documentary film expected by the end of the year.
There's even a full-length documentary film expected by the end of the year.
EarthBeat LLC