Orangutan spotted using traditional medicine to treat wound in groundbreaking first for wild animals

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers in Indonesia have observed an orangutan treating a wound using a plant with known pain-relieving properties. This marks the first known instance of a wild animal deliberately tending to its injuries with medicine, shedding light on the fascinating behavior of self-medication in the animal kingdom.

The male Sumatran orangutan, named Rakus, was documented applying sap from a plant called Akar Kuning to a facial wound. This plant has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Rakus not only applied the sap to his wound but also covered it with a mesh made from the plant’s leaves, indicating a deliberate and intentional act of self-treatment.

The researchers believe that this behavior may have originated from a common ancestor shared by humans and apes. While self-medication through ingesting plant parts is common across animal species, the specific treatment of wounds with a biologically active substance has not been documented before.

During routine observations in Indonesia’s Suaq Balimbing area, researchers noticed Rakus had sustained a facial wound, likely from a fight with another male orangutan. A few days later, they observed him ripping off leaves from the Akar Kuning plant, chewing on them, and applying the sap onto his wound for several minutes. He then covered the wound with the chewed leaves.

Akar Kuning is known for its pain-relieving properties and is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. Chemical analysis of the plant revealed compounds with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties relevant to wound healing. Rakus‘ wound showed no signs of infection and had already closed after five days of treatment.

The researchers believe that Rakus‘ behavior was intentional, as he selectively treated his facial wound with the plant juice multiple times. This suggests that wound treatment using medicinal plants may have emerged through individual innovation among orangutans.

The discovery of active wound management with a biologically active substance in a great ape species provides valuable insights into the existence of self-medication in our closest relatives. This behavior may have a common underlying mechanism for recognizing and applying substances with medical properties to wounds, dating back to our last common ancestor.

Overall, this study highlights the remarkable intelligence and adaptability of orangutans, showcasing their ability to utilize natural resources for self-care and healing. It also raises intriguing questions about the origins of medical treatment practices in humans and other primates, offering a glimpse into the evolutionary history of self-medication.