Step into the captivating world of "cocaine animals," a term that brings to light the intriguing and often unsettling encounters between wildlife and illegal drugs. We will explore the true stories of the bears (movie & real life), cats, eels, and sharks that have been exposed to this dangerous substance.
"Cocaine Bear" is a movie that stands at the intersection of comedy and horror. It is a thriller movie based on the true story of a black bear that ate cocaine from a drug smuggler's plane crash. The movie follows a group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens who encounter the bear in a Georgia forest, where it goes on a murderous rampage for more cocaine and blood. The movie is directed by Elizabeth Banks and produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The movie has garnered significant attention, amassing more than $57 million globally and leaving an impression on audiences. However, beneath its intriguing premise lies a true story that serves as the inspiration for the film.
"Cocaine Bear" delves into a deep narrative of the consequences of human recklessness on wildlife. The bear's unfortunate fate serves as a poignant illustration of how our actions can disrupt the natural order and put animals at risk. It draws its inspiration from the sobering realities of human behavior and the far-reaching consequences it can have on the environment and wildlife.
The real-life "Cocaine Bear" story is a bizarre and tragic incident that occurred in 1985. In this true story, an American black bear weighing approximately 200 pounds was found dead in a Georgia forest due to a cocaine overdose. The bear's consumption of about three to four grams of cocaine led to its demise. This event attracted widespread attention and even resulted in humorous nicknames for the bear such as "snow bear" and "Pablo Escobear." The story of the "cocaine bear" is not just a quirky occurrence; it sheds light on the serious consequences of human recklessness on wildlife.
The story begins with a man named Andrew Carter Thornton II, who had a colorful history ranging from being a paratrooper for the U.S. Army to working in the police force's narcotics squad. Eventually, he became involved in drug trafficking, leading to his fatal attempt at smuggling drugs via parachute, which resulted in his death.
After Thornton's death, a hunter stumbled upon the dead bear near a bag, which turned out to be linked to Thornton's drug smuggling operation. A medical examiner confirmed that the bear had ingested cocaine, leading to its overdose. The bear's death was likely a result of unintentional exposure to the drugs Thornton had been carrying.
The story of the "cocaine bear" highlights the broader issue of human activities affecting wildlife.
The "cocaine cat" story revolves around a serval named Amiry and is a recent incident that took place in Cincinnati. Amiry had been kept as a pet and managed to escape from his owner's car during a police stop in January. After being found up in a tree, the Hamilton County Dog Wardens intervened and rescued the serval. While back at the shelter, Amiry underwent a DNA test that confirmed his species. In addition to this, he was also tested for narcotics due to a previous case involving a capuchin monkey named Neo, which had ingested drugs like Xanax and cocaine.
The testing revealed that Amiry had indeed been exposed to cocaine, raising questions about how the drug had entered his system. Authorities are still investigating whether the exposure was intentional or resulted from environmental factors. Following the incident, Amiry was sent to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for recovery. He suffered a broken leg during his dramatic escape but is now in a better condition and is being relocated to an area dedicated to educating people about wild cat predators and supporting cheetah conservation efforts.
The "cocaine cat" story serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership.
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The "cocaine eels" story revolves around a concerning issue where critically endangered European eels are being affected by illegal drug residues in polluted rivers. These eels embark on an extraordinary 3,700-mile journey for mating and reproduction.
The European eels spend years in waterways within Europe before migrating across the Atlantic Ocean to the Sargasso Sea for spawning. However, their population is critically endangered due to various threats including dam barriers, overfishing, and water pollution.
Researchers conducted an experiment to understand the effects of cocaine exposure on these eels. They administered doses of cocaine to European eels for 50 consecutive days to observe its impact. The study found that even trace amounts of cocaine had adverse effects on the eels, especially during their early life stages. The drug accumulates in various parts of their bodies, leading to muscle swelling and breakdown, hormone disruption, hyperactivity, and potentially affecting their sexual maturity.
One particularly concerning aspect is that cocaine affects the eels' cortisol levels, a stress hormone that plays a role in fat consumption. Since these eels need to accumulate fat for their long migration journey, disruptions in cortisol levels could have serious consequences.
The "Cocaine Sharks" story explores the intriguing idea that sharks off the coast of Florida might be exposed to cocaine due to drug smuggling activities in the region. This concept has been explored in a special segment called "Cocaine Sharks" as part of Discovery's Shark Week. While it might sound sensational, researchers have been investigating whether sharks could potentially be affected by drugs present in the waters.
Off the coast of Florida, where various shark species inhabit the waters, drug smuggling is known to occur. The ocean currents in this region create a pathway for drugs to flow, sometimes leading to bundles of narcotics floating in areas where sharks roam.
Marine biologist Tom Hird and environmental scientist Tracy Fanara, as part of their "Cocaine Sharks" investigation, studied the potential effects of cocaine on sharks. Cocaine is soluble in water, raising the possibility that sharks swimming near damaged drug packages could be exposed to the drug. They conducted experiments in the waters near the Florida Keys, where ocean currents can bring up drugs that have been dumped from aircraft.
The researchers observed the behavior of real sharks underwater, particularly focusing on their reactions to dummy cocaine bales and bait balls filled with fish powder. Some sharks displayed interest in the fake cocaine bales, even taking bites out of them. The fish powder also triggered excitement in the sharks, similar to how catnip affects cats.
The story serves as a reminder that the marine environment faces challenges from various forms of pollution, and research efforts aim to better understand and mitigate these impacts
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