Wild pigs in Monterey County, California have been found with intense blue—or “slushie-blue”—muscle and fat. This unusual coloration is not due to a mutation, but linked to ingestion of diphacinone, an anticoagulant rodenticide dyed blue as a warning for humans. When pigs eat these bait pellets—often from squirrel or rodent stations—the dye accumulates in their tissues, revealing contamination.
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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed this after wildlife trapper Dan Burton reported the discovery earlier this year. Lab tests detected diphacinone in the pigs’ organs, prompting public warnings to hunters and trappers.
SFGATE

Key Insights & Implications

• Toxic Risk Hidden in Plain Sight
  The blue coloring strongly signals contamination—but not all affected animals display visible blue tissue, creating serious risks when hunters process game.
  The Economic Times
• Broader Ecological Consequences
  This rodenticide isn’t just affecting pigs. It’s a broader threat to the ecosystem: other species—like deer, geese, bears, and even condors—may be exposed through secondary ingestion.
  New York Post
• Regulation vs. Exemptions
  Although diphacinone was largely banned statewide in 2024, its use is still permitted in agricultural settings—creating loopholes that enable wildlife exposure.
  National GeographicScienceAlert
• Public Safety Alert
  Officials urge hunters not to consume any game with blue tissue. The pigment serves as a vivid—and urgent—visual warning.
  SFGATE

Neutral Outlook

This phenomenon reflects the unintended fallout of pest control methods in agricultural regions. While diphacinone serves a public purpose, its safe application is challenged by unforeseen wildlife interactions. The blue pigs underscore a gap between regulation, wildlife safety, and ecosystem health. Continued monitoring, more stringent application protocols, and hunter awareness are critical moving forward.

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Wild pigs in Monterey County, California have been found with intense blue—or “slushie-blue”—muscle and fat. This unusual coloration is not due to a mutation, but linked to ingestion of diphacinone, an anticoagulant rodenticide dyed blue as a warning for humans. When pigs eat these bait pellets—often from squirrel or rodent stations—the dye accumulates in their