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Science

Judi Lynn

(160,527 posts) Wed Jun 10, 2015, 01:41 AM Jun 2015

Chimpanzees found to drink alcoholic plant sap in wild

Chimpanzees found to drink alcoholic plant sap in wild

By Victoria Gill
Science reporter, BBC News

3 hours ago

They have shown an understanding of language and a sense of fairness, and now humans' closest primate cousins have even been found to share a taste for alcohol.

Scientists studying chimpanzees in the Republic of Guinea have seen evidence of long-term and recurrent ingestion of ethanol by apes.

The 17-year study recorded chimps using leaves to drink fermented palm sap.

Some drank enough alcohol to produce "visible signs of inebriation".

The study - published in the journal Royal Society Open Science - revealed their tipple of choice is naturally fermented palm wine, produced by raffia palm trees.

More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33050939