In Turkey, a ‘drunk’ bear was discovered collapsed in a forest and sent to a veterinarian after consuming hallucinogenic ‘mad honey’
The video was captured in the Yigilca area of Duzce Province as the bear sat belly-up in the back of a pick-up truck after being rescued from the jungle the day before.
She swallowed deli bal, a sort of rhododendron honey with hallucinogenic effects, which is known in Turkish as “mad honey.”
The bear was gasping for air as she experienced the aftereffects of her honey binge.
She has been treated by a veterinarian and will be returned to the wild in the coming days, according to local officials. She is in good health.
The cub was discovered by forester Yasin Oztas, who reported to local media that she was sent to the Ducze National Parks and Nature Conservation Branch Directorate.
Mr. Oztas added that residents reported the previous day that a mother bear and her two cubs were in the neighbourhood.
He continued: ‘While we were carrying out our forest protection control activities, we saw a bear cub lying on the ground in a lethargic way.’
The pack was first alarmed, but soon realised the cub was ill.
The Ministry said in a statement yesterday: ‘Our baby brown bear, who is exhausted in Duzce, is in good health, and our teams continue their treatment.’
In addition, citizens were encouraged to select an appropriate moniker for the bear.
Local journalists were briefed by bee expert Dr. Meral Kekecoglu, Associate Director of the Duzce University Beekeeping Research, Development, and Application Centre, on the hazards of crazy honey.
Dr Kekecoglu said: ‘It has benefits, but it can also lead to death.’
He said that various forms of hallucinogenic honey, including those prepared with chestnut, rhododendron, and linden, might have varied effects.
The doctor said that the effects might vary substantially depending on the chemical composition of the honey.
Dr Kekecoglu went on: ‘If the amount of grayanotoxin is very high, it shows a blood pressure lowering effect and even starts to hallucinate the person who consumes it.
‘Therefore, it can reach a very dangerous level in people who consume it. The situation can be very dire.
‘It is necessary to be very careful when consuming rhododendron honey. It has benefits, but it can lead to consequences that can lead to death.
It is questioned if such an impact is conceivable on a bear, yet it is plausible.
If it has such an effect on a bear, imagine how big of an impact it may have on a human who consumes too much.
Gayanotoxins are a neurotoxic family found in a variety of plant species.
Honey containing this chemical, according to Dr. Kekecoglu, may assist persons with hypertension and asthma if it is ingested in moderation.
Also on Thursday, the Turkish General Directorate of Forestry issued the following statement: “Our forest rangers on patrol found this ecstatic bear cub.
‘We think it’s had a little too much honey, according to initial estimates.’