Meth-addict fish, aggro starlings, caffeinated minnows: animals radically changed by human drugs – study

Addiction, anxiety and sex reversal have been reported in species by researchers as a range of substances contaminates ecosystems

From brown trout becoming addicted" to methamphetamine to European perch losing their fear of predators due to depression medication, scientists warn that modern pharmaceutical and illegal drug pollution is becoming a growing threat to wildlife.

Drug exposure is causing significant, unexpected changes to some animals' behaviour and anatomy. Female starlings dosed with antidepressants such as Prozac at concentrations found in sewage waterways become less attractive to potential mates, with male birds behaving more aggressively and singing less to entice them than undosed counterparts.