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Beset by a seasonal rash of birds inebriated on fermented berries, Yukon wildlife officials have readied a series of miniature drunk tanks to help the erratic avians sober up.

“There’s a couple big flocks, and you can see them flying a bit erratically, trying to avoid things,” said Meghan Larivee with the territory’s Animal Health Unit.

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Already, drunken flying accidents have sent four birds to the Whitehorse headquarters for rehabilitation in a series of specially equipped “holding tanks”: Small cages with water and bedding, that are kept quiet and dark “so that [the waxwings] can have a good recovery.” One of the birds, notably, arrived still smeared with the residue of alcoholic berries.

“We expect there will be more,” said Ms. Larivee.

The usual victim is the Bohemian waxwing, a Yukon songbird that feeds almost exclusively on fruit. Each winter, the bird gorges on incredible quantities of berries, many of which have rotted to the point of becoming mildly alcoholic.