A research team led by the University of Exeter set up cameras in Guinea-Bissau's Cantanhez National Park. Footage of chimps sharing fermented African breadfruit—confirmed to contain ethanol (alcohol)—raises fascinating questions about if and why chimps deliberately seek out alcohol.

The paper, published in the journal Current Biology, is titled "Wild chimpanzees share fermented fruits."

Humans are believed to have consumed alcohol far back into our evolutionary history, with benefits for social bonding.

And the new study suggests our closest relatives might be doing something similar.

"For humans, we know that drinking alcohol leads to a release of dopamine and endorphins, and resulting feelings of happiness and relaxation," said Anna Bowland, from the Center for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

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