Wild pigs found with blue-dyed meat in California. Why officials are issuing a warning
Wildlife officials said multiple wild pigs in central California were exposed to pesticide bait that caused their tissue to turn blue earlier this year.
In March, a wildlife trapper reported blue muscle or fat discovered in wild pigs in the Monterey County area, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of San Francisco, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab later found a rodenticide bait, known as anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone, in the stomach and liver of one of the pigs. The pigs were exposed to the blue-dyed diphacinon by either consuming the bait themselves or eating other animals that ingested it, CDFW explained.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported multiple observations of blue muscle or fat found in wild pigs exposed to pesticide bait containing anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone in March 2025.
It’s unclear how many pigs were exposed, but CDFW Information Officer Krysten Kellum told USA TODAY there were multiple and that the health lab only received one sample. Kellum added that the department has not seen any more reports of similar exposure in wild pigs since then.
Between 2021 and 2021, CDFW documented rodenticide exposure in 19 out of 30 tested black bears in California, one out of one tested wild pig and zero out of two tested black-tailed deer, Kellum said.
“We greatly appreciate reports coming from hunters regarding observations of blue tissues and other abnormalities in harvested wild game,” Kellum said in a statement. “These reports can help by alerting us to potential impacts to wild game and other non-target wildlife across the state.”
CDFW warns both pesticide users and wildlife hunters
CDFW officials warned pesticide applicators to avoid applying rodenticides in areas used by wildlife that are not the target of the poisoning. They are also encouraged to use bait stations and application methods that are not accessible to non-target species, such as wild pigs.
The CDFW also urged hunters to consider the risk of rodenticide exposure in the wildlife they hunt, warning that blue discoloration may not always be present.
“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,” CDFW Pesticide Investigations Coordinator Dr. Ryan Bourbour said in a news release posted July 30.
Hunters are encouraged to avoid consuming animals with blue tissue and report any unusual findings in harvested wildlife to the CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab at WHLab@wildlife.ca.gov or (916) 358 – 2790.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California officials issue warning after blue-dyed meat found in pigs
