Why are Calgary police officers throwing pig carcasses into the Bow River?

Pig cadavers rigged with GPS trackers will be placed in the Bow with the goal of improving river search and recovery efforts. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Pig cadavers rigged with GPS trackers will be placed in the Bow with the goal of improving river search and recovery efforts.

The study is a collaboration between the Calgary Police Service and leading researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Windsor.

In a Monday afternoon release, police said the pig cadavers will be monitored and recovered when they surface.

“This research will give us data we simply don’t have right now,” said Dr. Iain Phillips, University of Saskatchewan adjunct professor.

“By understanding how remains behave in the Bow River—how far they travel, where they move and when they surface—we can develop evidence-based models that improve recovery efforts.

“Ultimately, this work is about helping investigators find answers sooner and bringing closure to families.”

According to Monday’s release, the study started in Saskatchewan several years ago.

This portion of the study will take place over the coming weeks.

Police are asking the public to keep away if they come across activity related to the study.