A male Sumatran orangutan named Rakus has been observed using a medicinal plant to treat a facial wound. This remarkable event marks the first documented case of a wild animal applying a plant with known medicinal properties to treat an injury.
The incident took place in the Suaq Balimbing research area in Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park. Researchers noticed Rakus with a fresh facial wound on June 23, 2022. Two days later, he began applying the chewed leaves of a liana plant, locally known as Akar Kuning ( Fibraurea tinctoria), directly to the wound. This plant is used in traditional medicine for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties, among others.
Scientists observed Rakus carefully selecting the leaves, chewing them, and then applying the resulting pulp to the wound. He even went as far as covering the wound completely with the chewed leaves. This behavior was repeated over the next few days, with Rakus continuing to feed on the plant for more than 30 minutes after applying it to his wound.
By applying this treatment, Rakus demonstrated a level of cognitive understanding and decision-making that is unprecedented in non-human animals. The wound, which was initially a severe, open injury, showed significant healing within just a few days and was completely closed within five days, with no signs of infection.
This discovery not only provides new insights into the cognitive abilities of orangutans but also offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of human wound care. It suggests that the use of medicinal plants for wound treatment may have a deep evolutionary history, dating back to our shared ancestry with great apes.
The research team behind this discovery includes scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany and the Suaq Project, a long-term study of orangutans in Indonesia. Their findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports on May 2, 2024, marking a significant milestone in our understanding of animal behavior and the potential origins of human medicine.
This groundbreaking observation underscores the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect these intelligent and resourceful creatures and their habitat. It also highlights the importance of understanding the natural world and the potential benefits it holds for human health and well-being.
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