A trapper in Monterey County discovered wild pigs with blue-tinged muscles and fat, caused by exposure to diphacinone, a dyed anticoagulant rodenticide.

The pigs had reportedly eaten directly from bait stations, raising concerns about widespread contamination along the Salinas River and in agricultural areas.

Although California banned most uses of diphacinone in 2024, agricultural exemptions remain, posing risks to wildlife and the food chain.

Experts warn that visible discoloration isn’t a reliable indicator of contamination, the San Francisco Gate has reported.

Hunters are advised not to consume discolored meat, as rodenticide exposure may go undetected.

Written by B.C. Begley