Elephant Herd Gets Drunk Together After Drinking Sweet-Smelling Traditional Liquor, Falls Asleep 'Cool Cool'

24 Elephants Drink 'Muhua' in the Jungles of Odisha, Eastern India
In April, 5 People Brewing Muhua Liquor Were Attacked and Killed

A herd of elephants was found drunk and heavily intoxicated in India, drawing attention. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] A herd of elephants became so intoxicated that they fell into a deep sleep, undisturbed even by shaking, drawing widespread attention. On the 10th (local time), several media outlets including India's PTI reported that "24 elephants in the jungles of Odisha state in eastern India became drunk after drinking traditional liquor brewed by nearby villagers."

According to these outlets, the elephants consumed 'Muhua,' a traditional Indian liquor made from the flowers of the Mahua tree. The media added, "It appears that villagers placed the liquor inside the jungle to ferment it properly."

It is reported that among the intoxicated elephants, nine were not yet fully grown. The drunken elephants reportedly only woke up when local wildlife officials appeared and loudly beat drums.

At that time, the elephants, still intoxicated, staggered back into the deep jungle, the media reported. Local Indian wildlife experts stated, "Elephants that enjoy the sweet scent of Muhua sometimes break down house walls and invade homes when they catch the smell."

In April, a herd of elephants attacked and killed five people who were brewing Muhua liquor. In response, Indian authorities urged, "If herds of elephants are spotted near villages, do not brew Muhua liquor," warning that "elephants with a strong sense of smell may be attracted by the scent of Muhua liquor and attack villages."

Meanwhile, in 2020, a photo showing Asian elephants in Menghai County, Yunnan Province, China, intoxicated after drinking grain alcohol went viral. However, this was later proven false, and elephants are known to avoid alcohol. At that time, Professor Amanda Melin of the University of Calgary in Canada gained attention by stating in the April 2020 issue of the international journal Biology Letters that "elephants and whales are innately sensitive to alcohol."