Innovative Self-Medication: Orangutan Treats Wound with Medicinal Plant

In a groundbreaking observation in the animal world, a Sumatran orangutan named Rakus has been documented self-treating a wound using a medicinal plant at the Gunung Leuser National Park in Indonesia.

Researchers spotted Rakus displaying long calls, a behavior associated with male dominance, followed by the discovery of an open wound on his cheek, below his eye.

Driven by the wound, Rakus turned to a local medicinal plant, Akar Kuning, also known as Yellow Root, to heal his injury, a behavior never witnessed before in wild animals.

The Akar Kuning plant, scientifically named Fibraurea tinctoria, is a climbing vine native to Sumatra, with documented medicinal properties for conditions like diabetes, dysentery, and malaria.

Despite its rarity in orangutan diets, Rakus consumed significant portions of the plant, chewing the leaves and utilizing its juices to treat the wound, effectively leading to the wound’s full recovery in a month.

During their research, the team found no signs of infection post-treatment due to the plant’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, as cited by Nicola Davis.

The Gunung Leuser National Park is home to the critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, making Rakus’ behavior an unprecedented and valuable insight into their natural self-healing practices.

This unique observation is shedding new light on natural medicinal practices among primates and their ability to self-treat wounds and injuries.

Experts from Kent State University and Duke University agree that Rakus’ behavior indicates a shared knowledge base between orangutans and humans when it comes to medicinal practices.

Conclusively, Rakus’ innovative self-medication not only showcases the remarkable intelligence of orangutans but also hints at the deep evolutionary roots of self-mediation behaviors in our lineage.