Researchers have recently observed an orangutan in the wild treating a wound for the first time. This discovery marks the first evidence of such behavior in orangutans. You can read more about animals treating wounds with natural substances here.
The findings were announced by the research team through Scientific Reports on May 2nd.
The team of scientists was conducting research on great apes in Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park in the Suak Balimbing research area, where approximately 150 orangutans reside. Since 1994, these animals have been subject to scientific study. In June 2022, Uli Azhari encountered a male Sumatran orangutan named Lux (Pongo Aberi).
The orangutan had applied a paste from a liana to an open wound on its cheek after having chewed on the vine. The ape then used a leaf pulp as a bandage, repeating this process multiple times over about seven minutes. Local medicinal use of the plant, Fibraurea tinctoria, is recognized for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Isabelle Romer, a cognitive biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Konstanz, Germany, expressed excitement upon reviewing Azari’s notes about the orangutan’s behavior. Romer noted that the ape’s focus on treating the wound in a repeated manner indicated a deliberate effort.
The wound fully healed within five days of the treatment, showing no signs of infection. Zoologist Michael Huffman from Nagasaki University in Japan, who specializes in primate self-medication, referenced this as a unique study in observing animals applying substances to injuries.
Romer hopes that the team’s research will raise awareness about orangutans and encourage conservation efforts. She emphasizes the importance of preserving these great apes, stating, “One look at this great ape and you’ll understand why it got its name. ‘Oran’ means person in Malay, ‘Hutan’ means forest.” The striking resemblance between orangutans and humans serves as a reminder of their endangered status.
Source: www.snexplores.org
