Chimpanzees seen eating alcohol-infused fruit for the first time, raising questions about evolution

Wild chimpanzees have been pictured eating and sharing alcohol-infused fruit for the first time, which researchers say raises questions around whether the animals actively seek out alcohol.

The images were captured by cameras set up by academics from the University of Exeter in Cantanhez National Park - located in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau.

Dr Kimberley Hockings, from the University of Exeter, said: "This behaviour could be the early evolutionary stages of ‘feasting’."

The researchers have also stressed the chimps are unlikely to get 'drunk' from the fermented African breadfruit, because it would "clearly not improve their survival chances".