California wild pigs found to have shocking BLUE meat inside

Several wild pigs caught in California this year have one shocking thing in common: Their insides are blue.

A trapper in Monterey County was processing some of the animals when he noticed that some of them had “blue-tinged muscles and fat tissues” in their bodies. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, this is the direct result of the pigs consuming something called diphacinone, a rodenticide anticoagulant.

“Rodenticide baits often contain dye to identify them as a poison. Blue-colored muscle or fat may be a sign that game meat has been contaminated by rodenticides, although this blue discoloration may not always be present. CDFW urges hunters to always use caution when harvesting game animals and be aware of potential risks,” reads a press release regarding the potentially contaminated meat.

“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,” CDFW Pesticide Investigations Coordinator Dr. Ryan Bourbour cautioned. “Rodenticide exposure can be a concern for non-target wildlife in areas where applications occur in close proximity to wildlife habitat.”

Hunters who encounter abnormal or unusual findings are encouraged to make a report to the CDFW for investigation. Additionally, the department warns those who harvest an animal with blue or otherwise discolored meat not to eat it.

“Pesticide applicators are urged to take measures when applying rodenticides so as not to expose wildlife. Prior to application, it is important to ensure non-target wildlife are not using the area where the pesticide is to be applied. It is also important to use appropriate bait stations and application methods that exclude access to non-target species. Using an integrated pest management approach for rodent control may help reduce the opportunities for rodenticide exposure for non-target wildlife,” the release explains.

It is unclear whether the wild animals are seeking out the rodenticides or if the chemicals are being used in areas that aren’t being checked for non-target wildlife.

Full Boar Trapping & Wildlife Control owner Vince Bruzzone reported hearing of this kind of thing happening in other areas.

“I have heard of this happening in agricultural ‘heavy’ areas like Salinas and other parts of the Central Coast,” he said in an email to SFGATE.

He also revealed that he has a protocol for dealing with such oddities as the blue meat.

“I do make a point to tell those I donate carcasses to that if they ever were to come across blue meat from one of my pigs to dispose of it at a landfill (rather than dumping it) and bring me the bill so that it doesn’t enter the food chain.”

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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