Groundbreaking discovery: Orangutan uses medicinal herbs to treat wounds in wildlife
Scientists observed a Sumatran monkey applying sap and leaves to an open cut, suggesting a possible fight with another male.
The orangutan used leaves from a vine known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties - Photo Reproduction/Saidi Agam/Projeto Suaq/PA
For decades, orangutans have been recognized for their remarkable intelligence, largely due to their practical prowess, such as their skillful use of tools to crack nuts and hunt insects. However, in a surprising advance in understanding the behavior of these animals, researchers have recently discovered that these primates possess another impressive ability: using medicinal herbs to treat their own wounds in their natural environment.
Observations by researchers indicate that a male Sumatran orangutan was seen treating an open facial wound with a combination of sap and chewed leaves of a plant known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This fascinating revelation offers unprecedented insight into the self-treatment abilities of primates and sheds light on the complex world of medicine in wildlife.
Discovery
Leaves of the Fibraurea tinctoria variety of climbing plants - Photo reproduction/Saidi Agam/Projeto Suaq/PA
Wild animals have demonstrated self-medication behaviors on several occasions. For example, orangutans in Borneo have been observed rubbing chewed leaves of a plant used by humans to relieve muscle pain on their arms and legs, while chimpanzees have been seen chewing on plants known to treat worm infections and applying insects to wounds. However, the latest discovery marks the first time a wild animal has been observed treating open wounds with a substance known for its medicinal properties.
In the situation involving the chimpanzee, he used insects, however, unfortunately, it has not been determined whether these insects actually help with wound healing. On the other hand, in the case of the orangutan, it used a plant with known medicinal properties, as explained by Dr. Caroline Schuppli, lead author of the research carried out at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, in Germany. The research team highlights that these findings provide insights into the origins of wound care in humans, the first references of which date back to a medical manuscript dating back to 2,200 BC.
This highlights that the fundamental cognitive abilities needed to develop such behavior likely existed at the time of our last common ancestor, Schuppli said. So this goes back to the very distant past. In a paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, Schuppli and his colleagues describe their discovery during research carried out in a protected tropical forest area in Indonesia.
Observed Behaviors
While monitoring a male Sumatran orangutan named Rakus, the team observed a fresh wound on his face, likely the result of a fight with another male. Three days later, Rakus has been seen feeding on the stems and leaves of Fibraurea tinctoria, a species of creeper. What was surprising was his subsequent action: thirteen minutes after starting to feed on the vine, he began chewing the leaves without swallowing them, applying the juice directly to his facial wound with his fingers, as reported by the researchers.
The primate not only repeated this behavior, but covered the entire wound with the chewed leaves until it was completely covered. Five days later, the wound had closed, and in a few weeks, it healed, leaving only a small mark. The team highlights that the plant used by Rakus is recognized for containing substances with several beneficial properties, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, analgesic and anticarcinogenic properties. Furthermore, both this plant and related species of lianas are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases, such as dysentery, diabetes and malaria.
It is not yet clear whether Rakus discovered the process on his own or learned it from another orangutan, although it has not been observed in any other individuals. Schuppli noted that Rakus appeared to have used the plant intentionally. This suggests that, to some extent, he has the cognitive capabilities necessary to treat the wound with some clinically active plants, she said. However, we are still not sure of your level of understanding.
