Try saying that after a few drinks


Swimming pigs in the Bahamas: Attractions out of control, animal rights advocates say



Not long ago, the novelty of swimming with pigs off the shore of an uninhabited Bahama island elicited squeals of delight - and selfies aplenty. Now, copycat attractions across the Bahamas are provoking concerns about mistreatment from animal rights advocates who are calling for regulation, inspection and limits on the number of swimming swine attractions.

If Kim Aranha, president of the Bahamas Humane Society, had her way, the government would outlaw the strange endeavour altogether.



"It's completely out of control," Aranha said in a telephone interview. "As an animal advocate, I hate it."

Aranha said the "swimming with pigs" phenomenon began years ago when some tourists boating through the Exuma chain noticed a group of pigs wandering around the beach of uninhabited Big Major Cay. As their boat approached, some of the pigs began swimming toward it.

"Pigs will do anything for food," Aranha said.



She estimated that more than 20 attractions have sprung up in recent years across the island chain - each offering tourists the opportunity to wade or boat in shallow waters as pigs beg them for scraps of food.

"People are travelling from Finland and Japan to see swimming pigs," she said. "Guys who operate boats on New Providence charge $US300 ($A426) to $US400 ($A568) to see swimming pigs and people will actually pay it so they can take pictures next to swimming pigs."



They are concerned about the apparent lack of freshwater and shade in the holding pen at the Freeport attraction, and want the government to set down rules protecting pigs from sunburn and requiring they get proper shelter, clean fresh water, and appropriate food rather than scraps from tourists.

States' health departments might look askance at permitting humans to swim in water alongside pigs and their waste. Referring to the Freeport attraction, Burrow asked, "Where is all the pigs' waste going? In the water. And it's near a very popular swimming beach, a snorkeling attraction and a kayak resort with cottages nearby."



And don't be lulled just because they are cute, Aranha said. "When they're hungry, they can get aggressive and bite."

http://www.traveller.com.au/swimming-pi ... say-h1dx19