In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have observed a male orangutan, Rakus, using plants as medicine—a first-ever recording of a wild animal self-medicating for wound care. This unique behavior was spotted in the jungle, where Rakus chewed the stem and leaves of a plant known for its anti-inflammatory properties and applied it to his injured cheek. The wound, likely caused by a territorial fight, healed within a month.
What makes this finding extraordinary is its implications for both orangutans and humans. Dr Isabelle Laumer, the lead researcher and guest on our latest Talking Apes episode, highlights how Rakus' actions could offer insights into the evolutionary roots of self-medication in primates, possibly tracing back to a common ancestor. Her research opens up questions about how much orangutans—and perhaps other great apes—might already know about medicinal plants in their environment.
Join us for this special Orangutan Caring Week episode to explore how this discovery reshapes our understanding of primate intelligence, behavior, and our shared evolutionary past. Don't miss this look into the wild world of orangutan healing techniques.
Tune in to uncover the full story and the fascinating questions it raises!
Talking Apes is an initiative of the nonprofit GLOBIO.
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