An orangutan was observed using medicine derived from a tropical plant to treat a wound, showcasing yet another instance of animals seeking natural remedies to alleviate their ailments, according to a report published on Thursday.
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers witnessed an intriguing behavior in Rakus, an adult male orangutan. They observed him plucking and consuming leaves from a medicinal plant commonly utilized in Southeast Asia for pain relief and reducing inflammation. What made this observation even more fascinating was that Rakus proceeded to apply the plant’s juices directly onto a wound on his right cheek, using his fingers. To further protect the injury, he pressed the chewed leaves onto the open wound, creating a makeshift bandage. This remarkable behavior highlights the resourcefulness and intelligence of orangutans in utilizing natural remedies for self-care.
Scientists had previously documented various species of great apes foraging for medicines in forests to heal themselves. However, until now, they had not observed an animal treating itself in this manner.
According to Isabelle Laumer, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Konstanz, Germany, it is the first instance where a wild animal has been observed using a powerful medicinal plant directly on a wound.
In 2022, Ulil Azhari, a field researcher at the Suaq Project in Medan, Indonesia, recorded the fascinating behavior of an orangutan. Remarkably, photographs captured the rapid healing of the animal’s wound, which closed without any complications within just one month.
Since 1994, scientists have been closely studying orangutans in Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park. However, until recently, they had not observed this particular behavior.
Emory University biologist Jacobus de Roode, who was not part of the study, emphasized the significance of a single observation in expanding our understanding of new behaviors.
According to de Roode, it is highly probable that the orangutan is engaging in self-medication. He further explains that the orangutan specifically applies the plant to the wound and does not use it on any other part of its body.
According to Caroline Schuppli at Max Planck, it is possible that Rakus acquired the technique by observing other orangutans living outside the park and away from the constant observation of scientists.
Rakus, a juvenile orangutan, was born and raised outside the study area. Researchers speculate that he may have sustained injuries from a fight with another animal. It remains unclear whether Rakus had previously received treatment for any other injuries.
In the past, researchers have documented instances of other primates using plants as a form of self-medication.
Bornean orangutans have been observed engaging in a fascinating behavior – rubbing themselves with juices from a medicinal plant. This behavior is believed to serve multiple purposes, such as reducing body pains and potentially chasing away parasites. It showcases the resourcefulness and intelligence of these remarkable primates.
Chimpanzees in various locations have been observed engaging in the behavior of chewing on bitter-tasting plant shoots as a means to alleviate stomach discomfort. Similarly, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos have been observed swallowing specific rough leaves whole in order to rid themselves of stomach parasites.
Tara Stoinski, president and chief scientific officer of the nonprofit Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, who was not involved in the study, pondered on the implications of such behavior in our closest living relatives. She wondered, “What could that tell us about how medicine first evolved?”
