AssetID: 54680930
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Cheersy Chimps! Chimpanzees Filmed Consuming Alcohol In Social 'Pub' Setting
Caption: Cheersy Chimps! Chimpanzees Filmed Consuming Alcohol In Social 'Pub' Setting. Wild chimpanzees have been filmed sharing alcohol in social situations - in scenes reminiscent of how humans have a few beers at the pub. A research team led by the University of Exeter set up cameras in Guinea-Bissau’s Cantanhez National Park and found the chimps indulging in fermented African breadfruit containing alcohol. Humans are believed to have consumed alcohol far back into our evolutionary history, with benefits for social bonding. The researchers used motion-activated cameras, which filmed chimps sharing fermented fruits on 10 separate occasions. Fruit shared by these chimps was tested for alcohol content. The highest level found was the equivalent of 0.61% ABV (Alcohol By Volume – a measure used in alcoholic drinks). This is relatively low. But the researchers say it may be the “tip of the iceberg”, as 60-85% of chimps’ diet is fruit – so low levels of alcohol in various foods could add up to significant consumption. The scientists also pointed out that the social setting - like that of a pub, may be significant. “Chimps don’t share food all the time, so this behaviour with fermented fruit might be important,” said Dr Kimberley Hockings, also from the University of Exeter. “We need to find out more about whether they deliberately seek out ethanolic fruits and how they metabolise it, but this behaviour could be the early evolutionary stages of ‘feasting’.”
Keywords: Natural World,chimpanzees,filmed,alcohol,social,pub,setting,wild,chimpanzee,research,University of Exeter,Guinea-Bissau,Cantanhez National Park,chimps,African,breadfruit,motion-activated,cameras,drinks,consumption,behaviour,Dr Kimberley Hockings,ethanolic,fruits,feasting
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