Cocaine Bear and Other Drugged Animal Tales That Shock and Amuse
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Chapter 1: The Cocaine Bear Phenomenon
By now, it's likely that most have seen the trailer for the outrageous film Cocaine Bear. For those who haven't, let me summarize the plot. This horror-comedy from Universal Pictures is loosely inspired by a bizarre real-life incident from 1985. The premise follows a drug smuggler who drops bags of cocaine into Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest, only for a 175-pound black bear to stumble upon the stash and consume it all.
The result? A crazed, hallucinating bear that goes on a wild rampage in Blue Ridge, Georgia. As young actor Christian Convery aptly puts it, "the bear is f*cked up." The bear's ensuing chaos involves disemboweling unsuspecting hitchhikers, which, while graphic, serves as a darkly comedic twist on the message: drugs are bad—even for bears.
This film may very well kickstart a new genre featuring animals caught in the throes of drug addiction. Speculations are already swirling about potential sequels with cats on cannabis, mice running meth operations, and ferrets involved in fentanyl heists. The creative possibilities seem endless.
Now, let’s explore some true stories of drugged animals that could inspire future filmmakers.
Section 1.1: The Elephant on LSD
In the 1960s, the Oklahoma City Zoo made the controversial decision to give a 7,000-pound Indian elephant named Tusko a dose of LSD. The outcome was tragic; within five minutes of administration, Tusko suffered a seizure and passed away just over an hour later. Dr. Louis Jolyon West, the leading researcher, concluded that elephants are highly sensitive to LSD.
One may wonder why such an experiment was ever conducted. During that era, LSD's effects were poorly understood. Researchers aimed to explore its potential for influencing animal behavior, particularly in provoking musth—a state of heightened sexual activity and aggression in male elephants. Their thinking was rooted in the belief that understanding elephant behavior might shed light on human psychosis.
The elephant’s brain is surprisingly similar to ours, albeit larger, with a highly developed neocortex responsible for complex thought. Sadly, Tusko's acid trip ended in disaster, highlighting the dangers of experimenting with substances on unsuspecting creatures.
Section 1.2: The Dolphin's Strange Experiment
During the same decade, researchers embarked on a peculiar NASA-funded project aimed at establishing communication with dolphins. In an attempt to encourage these intelligent creatures to engage in "Dolphinese," researchers decided to administer LSD as a social lubricant.
John C. Lilly, a neuroscientist, popularized the concept of dolphin communication through his book Man and Dolphin. His work caught the attention of NASA, which was exploring ways to communicate with extraterrestrial life. The team formed “The Order of The Dolphins” and lived with three dolphins: Peter, Pamela, and Sissy.
However, things took a bizarre turn when Peter developed an infatuation with researcher Margaret Lovatt, leading to controversial interactions that ultimately overshadowed the scientific aims of the project. Despite the researchers’ hopes, LSD had no impact on the dolphins' linguistic abilities, and funding for the project was subsequently withdrawn after a scandal made headlines.
Chapter 2: The Quirky Side of Drugged Animals
The first video dives into the absurdities of Cocaine Bear and asks whether it was unbearable or delightfully entertaining.
The second video explores the myth versus reality surrounding the infamous Cocaine Bear, revealing what truly happened behind the scenes.
Section 2.1: Caffeinated Bees
In the realm of bizarre animal experiments, bees have not escaped unscathed. Some coffee farmers utilize caffeine-infused pesticides, inadvertently causing bees to develop a taste for caffeine. This addiction appears to have a positive twist; caffeinated bees forage more effectively and even recruit fellow bees through energetic "waggle dances," which indicate the quality of food sources.
Research indicates that caffeine enhances bees' memory regarding their favorite flowers, leading to increased pollination. The symbiotic relationship benefits all: pollinators get a buzz, and humans enjoy bountiful crops.
Section 2.2: Monkeys and Marijuana
In a 2000 study, five squirrel monkeys were placed in a cage with the ability to self-administer THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. The monkeys quickly learned to push a lever for a dose, resulting in them receiving around 30 injections in one hour. Lead researcher Steven Goldberg claimed that cannabis was "as addictive as cocaine," a statement met with skepticism by others.
The monkeys' dosage was comparable to what a human would receive from smoking a single joint, raising questions about the validity of Goldberg's conclusions. Notably, four of the monkeys had previously self-administered cocaine, which complicates the interpretation of their behavior.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Cocaine Bear
The film Cocaine Bear has sparked interest not only for its outrageous premise but also for the deeper message it conveys about addiction and consequences. While critics may dismiss it as gimmicky, the true story of the cocaine bear—a taxidermy exhibit in the Kentucky Fun Mall—adds a layer of historical intrigue. The film’s success may inspire future cinematic explorations of drugged animals, blending horror and humor in ways we’ve yet to imagine.
More from Carlyn Beccia:
- How to Survive Common Animal Attacks
- 5 Animals Who Want to Eat Your Pet