Scientists have recently observed an orangutan named Rakus treating a wound with medicine from a tropical plant, showcasing how some animals use remedies found in the wild to heal themselves. Rakus plucked and chewed up leaves from a medicinal plant commonly used in Southeast Asia to treat pain and inflammation. He then applied the plant juices to an injury on his right cheek and used the chewed plant as a makeshift bandage. This behavior, captured in a new study in Scientific Reports, is the first time a wild animal has been observed applying medicinal plant directly to a wound.
The orangutan’s behavior was documented by field researcher Ulil Azhari at the Suaq Project in Indonesia, where scientists have been observing orangutans since 1994. While this is a single observation, it sheds light on how animals may use self-medication in the wild. Emory University biologist Jacobus de Roode noted that often new behaviors are discovered through single observations, and this instance of an orangutan treating itself with a medicinal plant is a significant find in the field of animal behavior research.
The researchers believe that Rakus may have learned this self-medicating technique from other orangutans living outside the study area, away from daily human scrutiny. The Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior suggested that the practice of using plants to treat injuries may have originated in a common ancestor shared by humans and orangutans. Rakus, who was born and lived as a juvenile outside the study area, likely got injured in a fight with another animal, although it is unknown if he has treated other injuries in his life.
Previous studies have shown that other primates, such as Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos, use plants for medicinal purposes. Bornean orangutans have been observed rubbing themselves with plant juices to reduce body pains or chase away parasites, while chimpanzees chew on bitter-tasting plants to soothe stomach issues. This behavior in our closest living relatives raises questions about how medicine first evolved and how animals have developed methods of self-medication over time.
The discovery of Rakus treating himself with a medicinal plant highlights the fascinating ways in which animals in the wild use natural remedies to heal themselves. This behavior not only provides insights into the evolutionary origins of medicine but also underscores the intelligence and resourcefulness of animals in finding ways to alleviate their own suffering. Further research into self-medication behaviors in animals could lead to a better understanding of the complex relationships between plants, animals, and the environment.
