The unusual behavior of the injured orangutan was described in the weekly ” Scientific Reports“. “We report for the first time active wound healing with a known biologically active plant substance by a free-ranging male Sumatran orangutan and discuss the hypothesis that this may be a form of self-medication for healing the wound and possibly preventing infection,” we read. Scientists emphasize that this is the first carefully documented case where a wild animal heals wounds using a plant known to contain the properties medicinal.
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An unusual discovery among orangutans in Indonesia. The animal prepared its own medicine
Observations of wild Sumatran orangutans are being conducted in the Suaq Balimbing Research Area, which is part ofpark national Gunung Leuser in Aceh, Indonesia, since 1994. The described event occurred in 2022. Rakus the orangutan was fighting with other males for dominance, after which an open wound was noticed on his face. Scientists then observed that the animal was eating the stems and vines of the akar kuning plant, which is used by the local population to treat, among other things, diabetes, dysentery and malaria. “The local orangutans rarely eat this plant” – scientists emphasize.Â
“In addition to eating the leaves, Rakus chewed them without swallowing and used his fingers to smear the juice on his facial wound for seven minutes. Several flies settled on the wound, after which Rakus spread a poultice made of pulp from leaves. The next day he ate the plant again. Eight days after the injury, the wound was completely closed,” we read. It turns out that this is the only case since the research group has been conducting observations that an orangutan in a national park self-medicates.
Orangutans and humans “share knowledge”? “Our ancestors probably watched them and learned about medicines.”
-Â This shows that orangutans and humans share knowledge. Since they live in the same environment, I would say it’s quite obvious, but still intriguing, says Caroline Schuppli, a primatologist at the Institute of Animal Behavior. Max Planck in Konstanz, Germany, and co-author of the study, as cited by nature.com. According to scientists, people may have discovered some ways to deal with health problems thanks to animals. “Our ancestors probably watched them and learned about drugs,” says Michael Huffman of Nagasaki University in Japan.
