Chimpanzees in Uganda have been filmed using various medicinal plants to address open wounds and injuries, demonstrating surprising self-care techniques. Researchers from the University of Oxford, working alongside local staff in the Budongo Forest, captured footage of these primates applying plant material on wounds, both for themselves and occasionally helping others.
Building on previous discoveries that chimps seek out specific plants for medicinal purposes, this research compiles decades of observations that reveal the range of ways chimpanzees employ "forest first aid." Published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, the study adds to the accumulating evidence that various primates, including orangutans and gorillas, utilize natural remedies to maintain their health in the wild.
Lead researcher Elodie Freymann detailed that chimpanzees exhibit a variety of behaviors related to treating illness and injury, which include creative applications of local plants. For example, the team observed a young female chimpanzee chewing up plant material and applying it to injuries sustained by its mother.
Interestingly, the researchers also documented instances where chimpanzees administered care to unrelated individuals, suggesting a capacity for empathy among these animals, as noted by Dr. Freymann. Their longitudinal study included firsthand accounts dating back to the 1990s, documenting the various self-care techniques observed in the chimpanzee community.
The findings affirm previous research identifying plants consumed by chimps during illness, many of which were later confirmed to have antibacterial properties. Other apes also exhibit similar knowledge; for instance, a recent study indicated orangutans using chewed leaves to heal facial wounds.
Understanding the plant-based medicinal knowledge of these wild primates expands our grasp of animal intelligence and behavior. Dr. Freymann emphasized the learning potential inherent in observing chimpanzee survival tactics within their natural habitat, underscoring the sophistication of their resourcefulness and resilience in the wild.