Pigs of Paradise: The True Story of the World-Famous Swimming Pigs

by T.R. Todd

“The Bahamas are famous for sun, sand—and swimming pigs.” —National Geographic

In the middle of paradise, with billionaires and celebrities for neighbors, is an island populated only by swimming pigs. For decades, this archipelago of 365 islands would remain largely unknown to the world. It would not be a ruthless pirate, pioneering loyalists, a notorious drug kingpin, or the infamous Fyre Festival that would unveil Exuma to the world, but rather the most unlikely of creatures.

Appearing in magazines, videos, newspapers, commercials, TV shows, and countless selfies, the Swimming Pigs of Exuma, in the Bahamas, have become a bucket-list sensation and have been named one of the marvels of the universe.

But how did they reach this celebrity status? What made them so famous? Why, in February 2017, did so many of them die? And how did recent events such as the Fyre Festival and Hurricane Dorian affect the many pig colonies spread throughout the Bahamas?

Pigs of Paradise is an unlikely story of humble beginnings and a swift rise to stardom. With interviews from historians, world-renowned ecologists, famous pig owners, and boat captains, it thoughtfully considers what this phenomenon says about not only these animals but also about the humans who admire and care for them.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

216 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2020

Reviews

[Lee Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might have been the last person to know there was an island where pigs swim. But for anyone who has visited, or wants to visit, the island of Exuma (flashback to the Fyre festival debacle) this book is a comprehensive romp through the history of this 365-island archipelago with its pirate hide-aways, drug king pin escapes, Spanish adventurers and more. With beautiful photographs and interviews from historians, ecologists, famous pig owners and boat captains, this book is a look at one of the most popular bucket list items for Caribbean travelers.

[Annette Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was far more informative than I had anticipated!

[Sarah Hess · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot believe how full of crap this “author” is. He takes all the glory but none of the responsibility for creating a sensation, and then failing to protect it when a bunch of his celebrity pigs DIE. He frames it as some amazing phenomenon, but it’s only a PR stunt that he’s very happy to take credit for. Then his PR stunt causes the death of a bunch of pigs with no reported resources or support from his mega-rich employer. The closest he comes to acknowledging his and his employer’s role is “we’re all responsible,” “I was upset,” “does humanity always find a way of screwing it up?” TR Todd and the expensive resort he worked for are the screw ups in this story. And his writing is crap - he never thought to translate his newspaper style into prose that fits a book. I slogged through because I’m going to visit the pigs, but every page was an eye-roll until it became infuriating.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Around the world 🌍 in 80 books - Bahamas

[Michele Pfrogner · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter and I "fell" for a version of the swimming pigs while we were on the Hallmark Movie Channel Christmas Cruise to Nassau back in November. We love animals, and, without knowing much about the actual history of the "Swimming Pigs," we signed up for the experience. This was not the Exuma experience at all. No pigs swam to our tourist boat; they were released from a "pen." We were given carrots to feed them--great photo ops, but there were too many humans and too few pigs. (Two different excursion times had been combined into just one.) And a few of the baby piglets we were allowed to hold were definitely not happy. So, like the author points out in his book, I, too, felt "torn" when we left to head back to the cruise ship. What did I just experience? A tourist trap? Another way to exploit animals for the benefit of money, a few photos, and "look I what I got to do on my vacation"? (Yeah, and I still eat sausage, bacon, ribs.) Several months have gone by since the cruise, and Todd's book has me a bit unsettled about my contribution to this tourist "attraction."

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book was very "preachy". Hypocritically telling people how we should treat animals kindly when their swimming pigs began as a publicity stunt to increase tourism. They should practice what they preach.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pigs that had lived in Exuma had been getting a lot of attention in the media before I found this book at Barnes & Noble. When I found the book, I was pleasantly surprised and excited to learn more in depth about the island of Exuma, and how it had such a large pig population. I had only heard a few short summaries of the island in the media before reading the book, this helped me understand why the island was so important and why it was so famous. The personnel accounts from people who had grown up on the island were important to this story because they made the reader be able to understand how the island was already famous, even before the pigs. This book is great for someone who likes to travel and go to odd places that few people know about.

What kept me wanting to read this book was how you felt like you were interviewing the residents of the island yourself. Todd’s writing makes readers feel comfortable and at home on the far away island of Exuma. You feel as if you’re just sitting on the beach and watching cute little piglets chase people around on the beach for food, when you read Todd’s book. The book is well organized and goes in chronological order, which is great for people who like to read books that they can understand the direction that the story is going in.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved reading about the pigs and the background. Author is a bit full of himself.

[Christine D · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been to Exuma and went on this excursion, and while the pigs were unique, I enjoyed interacting with the stingrays more. The pigs were cute but kind of pushy (and at 250+ pounds that can be intimidating. and poop, there was a lot of poop in the water because--pigs gotta eat!). that being said, I would absolutely go back to Exuma, it is a GORGEOUS place.

now for the book...
2.5 stars
I liked how the author included some Exuma history in this book, but I agree with other reviewers who stated he was 'full of himself.' This book was muddled with a lot of other things: topics of man vs. animals as food, other pigs around the world who are popular tourist attractions... At times I felt some of this went off into boring tangents. Especially considering he is a PR specialist who was sort of integral, but sort of not, in the 'swimming with pigs phenomenon.'
I was also disappointed that he wasn't more upset about the lack of regulation on 'pig island' for almost thirty years and led to a number of the pigs dying. He seemed more consumed with people's fascination with the phenomenon than actually caring about the pigs themselves.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read book that goes into tangents....From folks having a strange relationship with pigs, as being both friends and food to our complex relationship with animals...Somewhat interesting but the book isn't really well written. The author only touched some issues-how healthy are the pigs overall? While living day and night on a tropical island may seem like paradise to some humans-I heard that pigs get skin cancer easily, and there are few places for shelter under the sun...I've also read that folks have to wade through pig excrement to pet them....From a business point of view, the author acknowledges that other Bahamas islands have built their own "pig beaches", but doesn't state if that is simply cannibalizing other pig beaches. Why would one take a speedboat from Nassau to Exuma when Nassau has their own pig beach? And whose to say swimming horses, swimming cows, swimming chickens, etc be as popular?

[Rudolf Waldner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm heading to Staniel Cay in a few months, so this wonderful book provided much of the background information that I was seeking.
T.R. Todd does a terrific job researching the history of the pig colonies and provides the colorful background and insight attached to the swimming pig phenomenon.
I can't wait to visit, and am hopeful but not optimistic that the pig colonies won't be overrun with visitors like Myrtle Beach or Paradise Island.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely written book, which I read in half a day. Has plenty of photos and is a great read. I’ve always wanted to visit the swimming pigs but now I’ve read into the history of this as well as the current situation, I’m now undecided. Was quite sad in parts but it’s clear that the islanders care very much for the pigs it’s just some of the tourists are causing more harm than good.

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about animals. Before I read this book, I had never heard of the famous swimming pigs of Exuma in the Bahamas. It was a fun and interesting account of how these pigs became an important tourist attraction for this small, beautiful cay. I loved it. Now the pigs have become a part of my bucket list. Great account...

[Tracy Colman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good quick read on the backstory behind the swimming pigs of Exuma Bahamas. I just went on vacation there and had the opportunity to swim with them. Great to know how pigs gained these unusual skills...

[Julie Haydu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the backstory on Exuma and how these beautiful pigs landed in paradise. Lots of great pictures and an engaging story. Whether you have been to Exuma or have it on your bucket list this book captures the unique aspects of this gorgeous island.

[Jennifer Weingardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning the history of the swimming pigs and their impact on the development of the Bahamas. I read it while sailing in the Exuma Cays. It's a well-written book for any tourist traveling to the area.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read while on vacation in Exuma.

[Christy Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly full of a brief history of the Exumas, not just a story of the pigs. I’ll be buying my own copy of this to remind me of our visit with the famous swimming pigs!

[Paula Schumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction book explores the phenomenon of the Bahamas’ swimming pigs. Recommended.

[Betty-Lou]

❤️🐷