Wounded wild orangutan seen using plant as medicine - BBC News
- 10 days ago
#Orangutan #Indonesia #BBCNews
A Sumatran orangutan in Indonesia has self-medicated using a paste made from plants to heal a large wound on his cheek, said scientists.
It is the first time a creature in the wild has been recorded treating an injury with a medicinal plant.
After researchers saw Rakus applying the plant poultice to his face, the wound closed up and healed in a month.
The behaviour could come from a common ancestor shared by humans and great apes, scientists have said.
A Sumatran orangutan in Indonesia has self-medicated using a paste made from plants to heal a large wound on his cheek, said scientists.
It is the first time a creature in the wild has been recorded treating an injury with a medicinal plant.
After researchers saw Rakus applying the plant poultice to his face, the wound closed up and healed in a month.
The behaviour could come from a common ancestor shared by humans and great apes, scientists have said.