Do African Elephants Get Drunk? Myths, Science and Natural Wonder

The story of the alcoholic African elephant è began long ago, in the 19th century, when a French naturalist wrote about elephants experiencing "mild brain warming" eating fermented marula fruits. These accounts, inspired by the folk wisdom of the Zulu people of southern Africa, described elephants staggering around after eating too many dropped fruits.

But the legend really took off in 1974, with Jamie Uys' documentary "Animals are Beautiful People" which showed elephants and other African animals apparently drunk on fermented marula fruits. Although these scenes captured the imagination of many, some critics have suggested that the director may have manipulated events by soaking the fruits in alcohol before giving them to the animals. It is a funny story, but how much of it is true?

Marula: the Elephant Tree

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The marula tree, colloquially called "the elephant tree" grows abundantly in places like the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Between December and March, this tree produces bright yellow fruits that African elephants are fond of. Besides being a delicacy for these giants, the marula fruit has been associated with fertility and the tradition of lasting marriage among local people, and is also used to brew a traditional beer.

The fruit, once fermented, can contain a good dose of alcohol, and some animals are said to suffer from its effects. But what about elephants?

The Elephant Debate "Alcoholic"

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In 2006, a group of scientists from the University of Bristol questioned the story of drunken elephants, claiming that an elephant would have to eat 30 kilograms of fermented marula fruit to get really drunk. However, new studies have suggested that elephants may metabolise alcohol much less efficiently than humans. So, perhaps a small amount of fermented marula could have a greater impact than initially thought.

But there is another intriguing factor: it is thought that elephants may react to certain beetles in the bark of the marula tree, traditionally used by the San to poison arrows. These insects could be the real cause of their strange behaviour.

Conclusion: Myth or Reality?

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While the myth of the drunken elephant remains fascinating, science offers a more complex and perhaps less amusing explanation. Whether inebriated or not, observing these giants in their natural habitat remains a unique experience. An extraordinary place to do so is the Chobe National Park in Botswana, home to the largest population of African elephants in the world.

And if they don't enjoy a sunset on the African savannah with a drink in their hand, we can always do it for them!

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