Chimpanzees in Uganda have been caught on camera using various medicinal plants to treat their injuries and ailments. A team of scientists from the University of Oxford, along with local researchers, observed these remarkable behaviors in the Budongo Forest. Their work builds upon previous findings that indicated chimpanzees seek out specific plants for self-medication.
The research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, catalogues different ways chimpanzees administer “forest first aid.” This includes applying plant material to wounds and even helping fellow chimps treat their injuries—a sign of empathy! Lead researcher Elodie Freymann emphasizes that chimpanzees utilize a range of behaviors to care for their health in the wild.
Their study included documenting a young female chimp chewing plants to treat her mother’s injury and discovering records of chimps tending to others outside their family. The researchers compiled observations dating back to the 1990s, noting human-like hygiene habits as well—like a chimp using leaves to clean itself.
Previous research by the team identified several plants that possess antibacterial properties, which chimpanzees use when injured. With similar behaviors also observed in orangutans, understanding these plant-based remedies in wild apes may aid in discovering new medicines. Dr. Freymann believes that studying chimps’ natural intelligence opens our eyes to the mysteries of nature and shows how well-adapted they are to their environments.
The research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, catalogues different ways chimpanzees administer “forest first aid.” This includes applying plant material to wounds and even helping fellow chimps treat their injuries—a sign of empathy! Lead researcher Elodie Freymann emphasizes that chimpanzees utilize a range of behaviors to care for their health in the wild.
Their study included documenting a young female chimp chewing plants to treat her mother’s injury and discovering records of chimps tending to others outside their family. The researchers compiled observations dating back to the 1990s, noting human-like hygiene habits as well—like a chimp using leaves to clean itself.
Previous research by the team identified several plants that possess antibacterial properties, which chimpanzees use when injured. With similar behaviors also observed in orangutans, understanding these plant-based remedies in wild apes may aid in discovering new medicines. Dr. Freymann believes that studying chimps’ natural intelligence opens our eyes to the mysteries of nature and shows how well-adapted they are to their environments.
