Wild chimpanzees filmed using forest 'first aid'
Wild chimpanzees in Uganda have been observed utilizing medicinal plants to treat open wounds and other injuries, showcasing a complex behavioral repertoire for self-medication and hygiene. Researchers from the University of Oxford, in collaboration with a local team, documented these practices, which include dabbing chewed plant material on wounds and even assisting unrelated individuals. This study contributes to the growing evidence that primates, such as chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas, use natural medicines to maintain health. Observations dating back to the 1990s reveal similar behaviors, including the use of leaves for hygiene purposes. The findings underscore the intelligence and adaptability of chimpanzees and hint at potential applications for human medicine by understanding these natural practices.
Context:
Wild chimpanzees in Uganda have been observed utilizing medicinal plants to treat open wounds and other injuries, showcasing a complex behavioral repertoire for self-medication and hygiene. Researchers from the University of Oxford, in collaboration with a local team, documented these practices, which include dabbing chewed plant material on wounds and even assisting unrelated individuals. This study contributes to the growing evidence that primates, such as chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas, use natural medicines to maintain health. Observations dating back to the 1990s reveal similar behaviors, including the use of leaves for hygiene purposes. The findings underscore the intelligence and adaptability of chimpanzees and hint at potential applications for human medicine by understanding these natural practices.
Dive Deeper:
Chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest of Uganda have been filmed using plants in various ways to treat injuries, building on previous findings that they consume medicinal plants for self-medication.
Researchers from the University of Oxford and local teams have compiled a comprehensive catalogue of chimpanzee first aid practices, providing evidence of their use of natural medicines to maintain health.
The study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, highlights the primates' intricate behavioral strategies for treating wounds and maintaining hygiene, with practices such as dabbing chewed plant material on injuries.
Footage captured a young female chimpanzee applying chewed plant material to her mother's injury, and records show chimpanzees assisting unrelated individuals, suggesting their capacity for empathy.
Decades of anecdotal evidence from field observations reveal behaviors like leaf-dabbing for wounds and using leaves for post-defecation hygiene, showcasing surprisingly human-like habits.
The researchers identified plants with antibacterial properties that chimpanzees seek out when injured, which could inform future human medical research.
The study emphasizes the intelligence and survival skills of chimpanzees, as they thrive in their natural habitat by utilizing its resources, contrasting with human reliance on external medicines and food.