Suaq Balimbing, Indonesia – In a groundbreaking discovery, a Sumatran orangutan was observed utilizing a medicinal plant to heal a facial wound at a research site in Indonesia. The male primate, named Rakus, applied a paste made from the poultice plant on his cheek, successfully closing the large wound in a month, as reported in the Scientific Reports journal. This incident marks the first documented case of a non-human animal healing itself with a plant.
Researchers at the site witnessed Rakus sustain the facial wound in June 2022 during altercations with other orangutans. Subsequently, they observed him chewing on liana leaves, applying the resulting juice onto his injury, covering it completely. The precise placement of the plant on the wound and the amount of time spent on the healing process led scientists to conclude that Rakus knew the plant would aid in his recovery.
Biologist and lead author Isabella Laumer highlighted the similarities between orangutans and humans, emphasizing the shared behaviors and abilities. She expressed optimism about discovering more human-like behaviors and abilities in orangutans in the future. This observation underscores the complexity and intelligence of these primates, shedding light on their self-healing capabilities.
The poultice plant used by Rakus, Fibraurea tinctoria, has medicinal properties that have been traditionally used to treat various diseases like dysentery, diabetes, and malaria. This instance represents a significant development in understanding wild animals’ ability to use biologically active substances to treat wounds, offering new insights into the origins of human wound care practices.
Despite researchers’ 21 years of observation of orangutans, this behavior was a first for them, possibly due to the rarity of encountering injured orangutans at the site. Rakus’s actions shed light on the fascinating behaviors and abilities of these animals, providing valuable insights into their adaptation and survival mechanisms in the wild. This discovery opens up avenues for further exploration into animal intelligence and self-healing capabilities.