This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. The high intelligence levels of orangutans have long been recognized, partly due to their practical skills such as using tools to crack nuts and forage for insects. But new research suggests the primate has another handy skill in its repertoire: applying medicinal herbs. Researchers say they have observed a male Sumatran orangutan treating an open facial wound with sap and chewed leaves from a plant known to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It is not the first time wild animals have been spotted self-medicating: Among other examples, Bornean orangutans have been seen rubbing their arms and legs with chewed leaves from a plant used by humans to treat sore muscles, while chimpanzees have been recorded chewing plants known to treat worm infections and applying insects to wounds. However, the new discovery is the first time a wild animal has been observed treating open wounds with a substance known to have medicinal properties. “In the chimpanzee case they used insects and unfortunately it was never found out whether these insects really promote wound healing.

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  • Orangutan Spotted Treating His Wound With a Medicinal Herb
    applying medicinal herbs. Researchers say they have observed a male Sumatran orangutan treating an open facial wound with sap and chewed leaves from a plant known to have anti-inflammatory and ...
    05/3/2024 - 1:01 pm | View Link
  • In a first, an orangutan was seen treating his wound with a medicinal plant
    Researchers heard a fight between male orangutans in the treetops of a rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia; a day later, they spotted Rakus sporting a pink wound below his right eyelid. A chunk of ...
    05/3/2024 - 1:01 pm | View Link
  • Incredible pics show how orangutan healed nasty facial wound with medicinal plant in world first
    AN orangutan was spotted rubbing the juice of a pain-relieving plant into a wound ... apes eating medicinal plants or wiping bleeding wounds with leaves or insects, but never treating a ...
    05/2/2024 - 11:16 am | View Link
  • Self-care: Orangutan seen apparently treating wound
    But the apparent treatment seen by researchers in Indonesia in 2022, and reported in the journal Nature Scientific Reports on Thursday, is the first time a wild animal has been seen applying medicinal ...
    05/2/2024 - 6:45 am | View Link
  • New Orangutan Behavior Observed for the First Time
    Scientists have spotted an orangutan using medicinal plants to tend to its ... This marks the first time that wound-treating behavior has been seen in orangutans and the first time that any ...
    05/2/2024 - 4:01 am | View Link
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