What are the swimming pigs of the Bahamas, where is Pig Beach in Exuma and how many pigs are there?
But now the fun-loving beach piggies are at threat of dying out. Here's everything you need to know about the swimming pigs.
What are the swimming pigs of the Bahamas?
Pig Beach is named as such for a very good reason – it's home to swimming pigs.
Activities such as whale watching and swimming with dolphins are common day trip options in many tourist resorts.
But in the islands of Exuma, a district of the Bahamas, you can actually swim with pigs.
The wild pigs roam freely on the beaches – before cooling off in the Caribbean sea.
It's not known how the pigs originally came to live in the area, as they are not native to the Bahamas and live on an otherwise uninhabited island.
Local legend has it the animals were left there long ago by a group of sailors who intended to come back and eat them.
Another rumour claims the pigs swam to safety on the islands after escaping from a shipwreck.
How many pigs are there on Pig Beach?
Traditionally, Pig Beach has been home to around 20 pigs and piglets – while a few stray cats and goats can be found on the island too.
However, the pigs were feared to be dying out in 2017 – with reports that there are only between seven and 15 animals left on the island.
It was originally thought that food poisoning could be the cause of the deaths, but now owner Wayde Nixon has claimed that drunk tourists feeding the pigs "beer and rum" could be behind the mysterious deaths.
But experts eventually found that sand ingested by the pigs as they snuffled for food thrown on the beach was the real cause of their deaths, along with lack of fresh water.
In January 2018 it was reported that the surviving pigs had given birth to piglets.
Which celebs have been pictured swimming with the pigs?
Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen enjoyed a trip to see the piggies in 2015.
And Tamara Ecclestone and her kids were seen enjoying a break on the beach with the swimming ovines in 2017.
Kourtney Kardashian has also made the trip to the Bahamas to enjoy the water with the pigs.
And Bella Thorne is another celeb flying out to see the famous swimming pigs.
Speaking to the official Bahamas tourist board, tourism director Joy Jibrilu said: "As a destination that is world-renowned for welcoming visitors and providing them with the most beautiful beaches, lavish hotels and resorts, and fine dining, and for being a dream destination, the Islands of The Bahamas are very proud to be the Official Home of the Swimming Pigs.
"Providing visitors with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of interacting with these wonderful animals is just one more thing that distinguishes The Bahamas.
"We’ve already introduced thousands of visitors to ‘Pig Beach’, and we look forward to welcoming thousands more in the years to come.
"These animals are now as much a Bahamian experience as any other that visitors may discover while visiting The Bahamas."
Where is Pig Beach?
Pig Beach is an area of the deserted Big Major Cay, in Exuma, Bahamas.
Exuma is a district consisting of more than 365 islands, which are also known as "cays".
The Exuma Cays are known as a playground for the rich and famous – boasting numerous private homes, luxury resorts and beach-side condos.
Staniel Cay is the closest island to Pig Beach – and has several tourist guides and companies happy to make the trip.
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