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Urgent warning to meat eaters.
Game hunters have sounded the alarm after discovering wild pigs that are turning 'fluorescent blue' in California.
In recent months, locals have been finding animals with bright blue flesh and fat and reporting it to local authorities.
The concerning discovery has left people baffled
I'm not talking about a little blue,' Dan Burton, owner of Urban Trapping Wildlife Control in Salinas, told the Los Angeles Times.
'I'm talking about neon blue, blueberry blue.'
Officials have now warned people not to consume the tainted meat over concerns the blue flesh is a sign the animal may have consumed poison.
An investigation found the dramatic colour was likely caused by diphacinone, a dyed rodenticide commonly used by farmers and companies to control the population of rats, mice and squirrels.
And they said the effects may even extend to other species including deer, bear and geese.
Locals have been finding pigs with bright blue flesh since 2015 (like this one pictured) but authorities have recently issued fresh warnings
Warnings have now been issued across the Monterey County area.
'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,' pesticide investigations coordinator Ryan Bourbour, from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), said.
'Rodenticide exposure can be a concern for non–target wildlife in areas where applications occur in close proximity to wildlife habitat.'
The chemical, which is now highly restricted in California, works by triggering severe internal bleeding.
Officials are urging hunters not to eat any meat from animals with signs of the blue pigmentation, and to report any sightings.
It's believed these wild pigs could have eaten both the bait and the poisoned rodents.
Predators, including humans, who eat an animal poisoned with the toxin can become ill themselves as the chemicals remain active in the dead animal's tissues for some time – even if cooked.
Urgent warning to meat-eaters as scientists find pigs with BLUE flesh
Game hunters have sounded the alarm after discovering wild pigs that are turning 'fluorescent blue' in California.
In recent months, locals have been finding animals with bright blue flesh and fat and reporting it to local authorities.
The concerning discovery has left people baffled
I'm not talking about a little blue,' Dan Burton, owner of Urban Trapping Wildlife Control in Salinas, told the Los Angeles Times.
'I'm talking about neon blue, blueberry blue.'
Officials have now warned people not to consume the tainted meat over concerns the blue flesh is a sign the animal may have consumed poison.
An investigation found the dramatic colour was likely caused by diphacinone, a dyed rodenticide commonly used by farmers and companies to control the population of rats, mice and squirrels.
And they said the effects may even extend to other species including deer, bear and geese.
Locals have been finding pigs with bright blue flesh since 2015 (like this one pictured) but authorities have recently issued fresh warnings
Warnings have now been issued across the Monterey County area.
'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,' pesticide investigations coordinator Ryan Bourbour, from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), said.
'Rodenticide exposure can be a concern for non–target wildlife in areas where applications occur in close proximity to wildlife habitat.'
The chemical, which is now highly restricted in California, works by triggering severe internal bleeding.
Officials are urging hunters not to eat any meat from animals with signs of the blue pigmentation, and to report any sightings.
It's believed these wild pigs could have eaten both the bait and the poisoned rodents.
Predators, including humans, who eat an animal poisoned with the toxin can become ill themselves as the chemicals remain active in the dead animal's tissues for some time – even if cooked.
Urgent warning to meat-eaters as scientists find pigs with BLUE flesh
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