We learned the true story of where the pigs came from Natajia at Embrace Resort. And on what authority does she have to tell this? Despite this, most of the tourists I talked with were not aware of any safety precautions they should take when interacting with the pigs. And the things I saw tourists do for the sake of a selfie photo were cringeworthy. It’s amazing there are not already more serious stories circling about serious injuries at Pig Island… but it’s only a matter of time. Finally, I got a more upfront answer from one of the locals who grew up on a neighboring island. With confidence, she said: Embrace Resort can help you organize a massage from Khori at Illusions by the Sea – it was fantastic. Our Experience Swimming with Pigs on Pig Island A pigs life

I spoke with Susie Coston , Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director and the best pig expert I know, and asked her about how the prolonged sun exposure might be affecting the pigs. She said: Quite a few boats soon came in (the large speed boats from Nassau with lots of people), which made the experience feel a little more chaotic and crowded. This would be the value of a private tour as you’d be better able to avoid the crowds. The best way to do the swimming with pigs tour is from your accommodation on Staniel Cay. This Cay is paradise – as are all the Exuma Islands. If you’re coming all this way, why not spend a night or two on the Cay?If you follow the instructions, they will not hurt you. Don’t scream or run, just put your hands up and say “no food.”

As business savvy locals see how effective they are at attracting tourists and generating profit. Some entrepreneurial locals are bringing pigs to create new “pig islands.” This is a huge problem, especially considering there is no oversight or accountability for the wellbeing of the pigs. Bottom line—the pigs are not living out long lives of freedom on a deserted island in the Bahamas. Observer media arrived on the scene last Wednesday to get the full experience of this unorthodox business and caught up with the owner of the company, Chantelle Winter, during one of her tours. Again, strict instructions told us how to safely interact with them, with warnings to keep our fingers out of the water lest we wanted them to be mistaken for fish food and bitten. These are docile nurse sharks with tiny teeth (that can still do some damage). Note:There are now several islands in the Bahamas where individuals and tour companies have brought pigs to create additional swimming pig attractions. They all have different degrees of care and oversight. Is the Island With Swimming Pigs All Bad?

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If you are doing the Swimming with Pigs tour with 3N’s Exuma Vacations, you will end with lunch at the Flying Pig Café located in the Embrace Resort on Staniel Cay. The three-month old business sees both locals and tourists swimming, walking and feeding over 10 of the four-legged mammals on a tour on one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most popular beaches, Runaway. It was then that the babies came running over. “My goodness,” I thought. There were tons of them! 10, maybe 15 piglets. Clearly multiple litters.