There is an island in the Bahamas called the Big Major Cay that has some very unique inhabitants.
It is completely uninhabited by humans, but is also referred to as Pig Beach or Pig Island because wild pigs have taken it over. Although pigs in general haven't exactly evolved for an aquatic lifestyle, these pigs have over time become good swimmers on this island.
There are approximately 20 swimming pigs on the island, which they share with a few stray cats and goats. Eric Cheng, a photographer who visited the island, had this to say: "Because locals bring food, the pigs will run into the water and actually swim out to the oncoming boats, as if to greet them individually. It is strange enough to see pigs laying around on tropical beaches of white sand, but to see them then charge into the water to greet oncoming boats is just bizarre."
Of course there are many legends and theories surrounding the swimming pigs. The pigs are said to have been dropped off on Big Major Cay by a group of sailors who wanted to come back and cook them. The sailors, though, never returned; the pigs survived on excess food dumped from passing ships.
Other legends say that the pigs were survivors of a shipwreck and managed to swim to shore while even another claims that the pigs had escaped from a nearby islet. A more cynical claim suggests that the pigs were part of a business scheme to attract tourists to the Bahamas."
A children's book has actually been written based on this island of pigs. It's called The Secret of Pig Island and was written by Jennifer R. Nolan and contains photos by Jim Abernethy.
It is completely uninhabited by humans, but is also referred to as Pig Beach or Pig Island because wild pigs have taken it over. Although pigs in general haven't exactly evolved for an aquatic lifestyle, these pigs have over time become good swimmers on this island.
There are approximately 20 swimming pigs on the island, which they share with a few stray cats and goats. Eric Cheng, a photographer who visited the island, had this to say: "Because locals bring food, the pigs will run into the water and actually swim out to the oncoming boats, as if to greet them individually. It is strange enough to see pigs laying around on tropical beaches of white sand, but to see them then charge into the water to greet oncoming boats is just bizarre."
Of course there are many legends and theories surrounding the swimming pigs. The pigs are said to have been dropped off on Big Major Cay by a group of sailors who wanted to come back and cook them. The sailors, though, never returned; the pigs survived on excess food dumped from passing ships.
Other legends say that the pigs were survivors of a shipwreck and managed to swim to shore while even another claims that the pigs had escaped from a nearby islet. A more cynical claim suggests that the pigs were part of a business scheme to attract tourists to the Bahamas."
A children's book has actually been written based on this island of pigs. It's called The Secret of Pig Island and was written by Jennifer R. Nolan and contains photos by Jim Abernethy.
Instead of swimming with the porpus, now swimming with the pigpus! hahahaha ~O~