Would you drink gin infused with elephant dung? Maybe you should.

South African elephant dung infused gin makers swear their use of the animal's excrement is no gimmick.  The creators of Indlovu Gin, Les and Paula Ansley, stumbled across the idea a year ago after learning that elephants eat a variety of fruits and flowers and yet digest less than a third of it. 

"As a consequence, in the elephant dung, you get the most amazing variety of these botanicals".  Her idea came after a safari during which a wildlife ranger described an elephant's digestive process. 

The first batch of elephant dung came by mail from the park where they had taken their safari. Then the couple, both scientists, puzzled for a while before working out the gin-making process.

Now they collect the dung themselves, using their bare hands.

They described the gin's flavor as "lovely, wooded, almost spicy, earthy" and one that changes subtly with the seasons and location.

Maybe we shouldn't knock it until we try it?

For more on this story: https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/food-drink/drink/would-you-drink-gin-infused-with-elephant-dung-37074247