Orangutan treated facial wound with medicinal plant in the world

Rakus the orangutan treats his wound with plant leaves.

Humans are the only known animals to treat their wounds with medicines and balms. But in Indonesia, scientists observed an orangutan deliberately using a medicinal plant to treat a wound on its face. According to CNNthis is the first time such behavior has been documented in a species other than humans. The orangutan named Rakus first chewed the leaves of a creeper called Akar Kuning and then repeatedly applied the juice to the wound on his face.

An article documenting this was published in the journal Scientific reports.

Rakus then covered the wound with chewed leaves, which are used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as dysentery, diabetes and malaria. CNN the scientists quoted.

Lead author of the study Isabelle Laumer said they are “very excited” about the observations recorded in June 2022 at the Suaq Balimbing study area in Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia.

“This potentially innovative behavior is the first report of active wound treatment with a biologically active plant in a great ape species,” she told the outlet.

The scientists noted that the 30-year-old man did not smear any other part of his body, leading them to conclude that the animal was treating his injury, according to Science alert.

Analysis of the plant’s chemical composition has revealed antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidant properties, all of which are useful for wound healing.

Researchers believe the orangutan suffered the wound during a fight with another male. Rakus also spent half the day resting during the recovery period, which also surprised the team.