At December 1 our two-part documentary is released. The first part of Experience Earth: "Tiere im Rausch" airs on Monday at 8:15 pm on ARD! Both parts will be shown simultaneously in the ARD-Mediathekt.

Intoxicated animals - this inevitably brings to mind the 1974 film "The Funny World of Animals" (Jamie Uys) and social media posts that allegedly show drunk elephants or monkeys, drugged-up cats after snacking on catnip or even dolphins that are supposedly intoxicated with the poison of puffer fish. But what is really going on with these intoxicated animals?

"Animals in a frenzy" - Part 1

Chimpanzees have been observed filling their stomachs with fermented star apples. Do our closest relatives like alcohol and are they aware of its effects and consequences? Biologist Aleksey Maro is investigating this in Uganda. He is testing the alcohol content in the fruit and in the chimpanzees' urine: as much as a beer or two glasses of wine?

This elaborately shot nature film not only discovers the secret of "intoxication in the rainforest" but also explores a small "high society" in nature: dolphins who play with the danger of a narcotic nerve poison carried by puffer fish. Lemurs who get high on a poisonous millipede to protect their health and risk their lives in the process. Beetles that act as "drug dealers" and make an entire ant colony dependent and docile with a mysterious substance. And cats who indulge in a relaxing quarter-hour trip thanks to the beguiling effect of Nepeta Cataria mint.

"Animals in a frenzy - the trip continues" - Part 2

In its search between fiction and truth, the nature film oscillates in intoxicatingly beautiful images from jungle lianas to poppy fields and toadstools. In the Amazon jungle of Ecuador, jaguars chew on ayahuasca lianas. They are known for their psychedelic substance DMT. Ethnobotanist Rocio Alarcón wants to find out whether it also "works" on the predators.

In Namibia, the honey badger is exposed to the paralyzing poison of scorpions and shows symptoms similar to intoxication. In Slovakia, hundreds of swans ended up in an "opium hell". Why did they fall for the addictive substance in a poppy field and never get off? The New Zealand fruit pigeon with the melodious name Kererū loves overripe fruit. Is that why it is conspicuous for "flying under the influence of alcohol"? The legendary fly agaric can stun flies. But does it also send reindeer into a mushroom frenzy when they gorge themselves on red caps?

These are familiar or completely alien states, triggered by toxic substances found in nature. Intoxicating images soberly observe how it manifests itself, the intoxication in the animal?

Broadcast date

After almost 2 years in production, we are delighted to finally announce the broadcast of the two documentaries. The authors Susanne Krauß and Robert Sigl have worked on the films with heart and soul. We would like to thank the entire team for their strong collaboration, even in challenging situations. On December 1 at 8:15 p.m., the first part of "Tiere im Rausch" will be broadcast on ARD. The sequel "Tiere im Rausch - der Trip geht weiter" will be available in the media library on the same day. Further news and broadcasting information will of course be published via our News Section on Facebook or Instagram.