In A First, Scientists Have Observed An Indonesian Orangutan Putting A Medicinal Plant On His Own Wound To Treat It
Scientists said they first observed Rakus chewing on the leaves and stems of the Akar Kuning, a plant known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
An orangutan at the Suaq Balimbing research site and protected forest in Indonesia has been seen using medicinal plants to treat its own wounds.
In 2022, Rakus, an adult male Sumatran orangutan was wounded on his face, likely due to fighting with another male orangutan.
Scientists said they first observed Rakus chewing on the leaves and stems of the Akar Kuning, a plant known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Rakus then applied the plant’s liquid to his cheek for seven minutes before covering the wound with chewed leaves, a process he repeated for over 30 minutes, scientists said.
The wound showed no signs of infection and healed completely within five days, and Rakus fully recovered after a month, according to scientists.
“This is the first time that we have observed a wild animal applying a quite potent medicinal plant directly to a wound”, cognitive biologist and author of the study, Isabelle Laumer, told the BBC.
“The entire process lasted really a considerable amount of time - that’s why we think that he intentionally applied it,” Laumer said.
It is uncertain if Rakus learned about the technique from other orangutans outside of the research site.
“It shows that he, to some extent, has the cognitive capacities that he needs to treat the wound with some medically active plants”, another researcher said, “But we really don’t know how much he understands”.
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