'Drunk' deer prompts French police to caution drivers
USA Today • • world
Key Points:
- Police in Saône-et-Loire, France, warned residents about deer exhibiting erratic, seemingly intoxicated behavior after consuming fermented fruits containing ethanol.
- A video shared by local officials shows a deer running in circles, rolling on the ground, and displaying unusual movements consistent with drunkenness.
- Fermented fruits naturally produce ethanol through yeast activity, which some studies suggest animals metabolize similarly to humans, potentially causing intoxication effects.
- Authorities advised drivers to be cautious of unpredictable deer near roadways due to this unusual behavior.
- While the exact cause of the deer's behavior was not confirmed, consumption of fermented fruit is considered the most likely explanation.