Never mind swine flu, these Caribbean pigs are in the swim



Their species has spread a virus that is sparking panic around the world.



But any thoughts of swine flu is water off a pig's back to these Caribbean creatures.

These feral pigs are in the swim and hugely popular with locals and tourists when they take a daily turn in the crystal clear sea.

Bay of pigs: A pig cools down off the island of Big Major Spot in the Bahamas

Underwater photographer Eric Cheng stumbled across the unusual residents during a diving expedition.

'We were in the southern Bahamas to photograph oceanic white-tip sharks,' says the 33-year-old.



'Our captain, Jim Abernethy, heard there were pigs on Big Major so we decided to go and check it out.

'Upon approaching the white sandy beach, it is easy to spot the pigs - both pink and dark brown - lying in the sand.

'I'm not sure how these domestic pigs (gone feral) came to live on this particular beach in the Bahamas, but they are well-known to locals, who have been feeding them for years.'

Making a splash: The playful pigs are feral but are fed by locals to ensure they stay on 'Pig Beach'

Mr Cheng added: 'Because locals bring food, the pigs will run into the water and actually swim out to the oncoming boats, as if to greet them individually. It is strange enough to see pigs laying around on tropical beaches of white sand, but to see them then charge into the water to greet oncoming boats is just bizarre.'



Spending several hours photographing and playing with the pigs, Mr Cheng and his team even managed to join them for a swim.

Give us a wave: The swine are a hit with locals and tourists who love to see them swim each day

'Nadine Umbscheiden, one of the photographers was so at ease with them that she managed to swim with them,' said Mr Cheng.



'We dubbed her the "pig whisperer" because she was so good at getting the pigs to swim to our cameras!'



Mr Cheng is the editor and publisher of Wetpixel.com, and is technical advisor and photographer for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Pig pals: Photographer Nadine Umbscheiden snorkels with a pig