Black Vultures Released After Drunken Dumpster Debacle in Connecticut

A group of wildlife rehabilitators at A Place Called Hope in Connecticut successfully released two black vultures back into the wild after they were found drunk in a dumpster. The birds, who celebrated Easter Sunday early by scavenging through garbage on April 8 in Watertown, stumbled upon something fermented that caused serious intoxication. According to A Place Called Hope (APCH), the organization responsible for caring for these birds of prey, they were “literally drunk” and unable to stand or balance properly. After conducting numerous tests, it was determined that the vultures were too inebriated to fly. The animals only required fluids as treatment and spent a night at APCH before enjoying a hearty breakfast the next morning. Animal caregivers had initially feared for their lives but later discovered that they had simply consumed cocktail fruit from an open dumpster, which can intoxicate wildlife when left unattended. Luckily, the vultures returned to their colony on April 9 without any further incidents at APCH’s center being reported. Wildlife officials have warned people against leaving food sources accessible as such may inebriate unwanted scavengers around these dumpsters. “Birds don’t let other birds fly drunk,” said A Place Called Hope, adding that the two vultures had each other’s backs but it was unclear if they learned any lessons from their wild night out.