Scientists watch orangutan treat its own wound with medicinal plant for the ... trends now
Scientists have observed a wild orangutan applying medicine to his own wound in a world's first.
A Sumatran orangutan, named Rakus, was seen chewing up leaves of a medicinal plant, create a pulp and administering the substance on an injury near his eye.
Not only were scientists amazed that the orangutan knew the plant had medicinal powers, but the sight of an ape treating its wounds have never before seen.
After two months, the wound had healed and orangutan's face showed little sign that he had ever been injured.
Researchers saw a male orangutan named Rakus with a face wound on June 22, 2022. Two days later, he chewed up leaves and spread the paste onto the wound
About two months later, on August 25, 2022, Rakus showed almost no sign of having been injured
The surprising observation was made in Gunung Leuser National Park in South Aceh, Indonesia the summer before last.
Researchers have been studying Rakussince first spotting him in 2009, but noticed on June 22, 2022 that he had suffered some kind of injury to his face.
While it is unknown how the wound occurred, the team noted that male orangutans often sustain such injuries in fights with other dominant males.
After the first sighting, the team returned three days later to find Rakus eating leaves from the plant that locals call Akar Kuning (scientific name Fibraurea tinctoria).
That was already unusual, as orangutans almost never eat the plant.
People have long used Akar Kuning to treat many ailments including diabetes, dysentery, and malaria.
But never before had they seen an ape use it.
The team observed Rakus chew the leaves for about 13 minutes, then collect the pulp with his finger and placing it around his eye until the wound was completely covered.
And for the next half hour, Rakus ate leaves from the vine.
The next day, he spent a few minutes eating the leaves again.
Researchers watched him several days after, to see if an infection would arise from the wound - but nothing had occurred.
The leaves of Akar Kuning (left), a plant used in Indonesia by people to treat dysentery, diabetes, and malaria. The orangutan Rakus (right) eating the leaves.
Rakus shows off a mouthful of Akar Kuning leaves. The wound on his face can be seen, gaping but not infected.
On June 30, just eight days after the ape treated himself, the
