Orangutan seen healing his facial wound with medicinal plants
Scientists observed a wild male orangutan repeatedly rubbing chewed leaves of a medicinal plant on a facial wound in a forest reserve in Indonesia.It was the first known observation of a wild animal using a plant to heal a wound, and adds evidence that humans are not alone in using plants for medicinal purposes.The male orangutan, Rakus, lives in Gunung Leuser National Park on the island of Sumatra and is believed to be around 35 years old. For years, researchers have followed orangutans like him on his travels through the forest, picking his way through the canopy in search of fruit to eat.Scientists at the park's Suaq Balimbing research area first noticed a wound on his face on June 25, 2022, when they saw his self-medicating behavior begin.“When I heard about it, I was very excited...