Categories: News

Australia’s mango harvest is intoxicating parrots

In Australia, the mango harvest is coming to an end. That’s bad news for parrots in the country’s western region, who are feasting on fallen fruit—and as a result, getting absolutely wasted. That’s because mangoes rotting under the sun are undergoing a natural fermentation process, which converts sugar into ethanol, explains Vice. The birds who then consume the alcoholic fruit, in turn, become intoxicated, which can lead to lethargy, malnutrition, or even death. In some instances, one veterinarian said, the sickened birds may fly while drunk, leading them to collide into doors and windows. Stay safe, friends! —Jessica Fu

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