Beware of Drunk Deer, French Police Say, Announcing Season of Inebriation

Europe|Beware of Drunk Deer, French Police Say, Announcing Season of Inebriation

A French law enforcement agency is warning drivers to watch out for drunks on the road.

They are not referring to humans.

It is inebriation season for wild animals, according to the agency, the Gendarmerie de Saône-et-Loire, which is based in a rural region in central-eastern France. “In the spring, some wild animals consume buds, fermented fruits, or decaying vegetation — and may exhibit completely unpredictable behavior,” the agency wrote last week on social media.

The police force noted that tipsy animals can quickly cause collisions if humans are not vigilant. To prove this point, the authorities in the picturesque Burgundy region, known for its berries and wines, posted a video of what appeared to be a very drunk deer that has captured international attention.

In the video, the deer spins in tight circles, dizzyingly, around and around. Soon, it tumbles onto its back, flips over and staggers back up, standing again on wobbling legs, and staring ahead, unaware — or not caring — that it is being filmed.

Then it runs off into another field, where it repeats the routine.

“If Bambi has had a bit too much of that forest aperitif, now might not be the best time to drive as if you own the road,” the agency’s post said. It warned drivers to slow down, be aware of their surroundings and “avoid sudden steering maneuvers.”

It was not immediately clear how many car accidents have been linked to such animals in France, and the Gendarmerie de Saône-et-Loire did not respond to a request for comment.