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Context (DTE): Scientists from Germany and Indonesia observed a male orangutan named ‘Rakus‘ in Sumatra using a medicinal plant to treat a wound on his face.
Rakus was seen selectively ripping off leaves of a liana called Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria), chewing them, and applying the resulting juice onto the wound for several minutes.
According to Scientists, the plant used by Rakus is known for its analgesic and antipyretic effects and is used in traditional medicine by local people to treat diseases like malaria.
Orangutans
They are one of the extant species of great apes.
Great Apes: Common Chimpanzee, Orangutans, Gorilla and the Gracile Chimpanzee or Bonobo.
Found on the islands of Sumatra in Indonesia and Borneo.
There are three types of orangutans taxonomically: the Sumatran, the Bornean, and the Tapanuli.
Self-medication in non-human species
It has been observed before, particularly among great apes like chimpanzees and orangutans.
Great apes have been known to ingest specific plants to treat parasite infections and to use plant material to treat sore muscles.
Recently, a chimpanzee group in Gabon was observed applying insects to wounds. However, the treatment of a wound with a biologically active substance like in Rakus’ case has not been documented before.
Similar forms of wound treatment have been observed in both African and Asian great apes, indicating a shared behavior.
