Chimpanzees use 'insects' like medicine to heal wounds
Primatologists have confirmed that chimpanzees are applying insects to their wounds. Until now, chimpanzees have been observed eating medicinal plants, but this is the first time that chimpanzees have been observed using insects.
Application of insects to wounds of self and others by chimpanzees in the wild: Current Biology
Chimps Use Insects to Soothe Each Other's Wounds in Never-Before-Seen Behavior
https://www.sciencealert.com/chimpanzees-use-insects-to-soothe-their-wounds-and-we-don-t-really-know-why
Evolutionary biologist Alessandra Mascaro, who belongs to The Loango Chimpanzee Project , an international chimpanzee research organization, was observing chimpanzees in the Republic of Gabon, and a female chimpanzee had something like a small bug on her lips. He also confirmed that he was touching the wound with his hand. When Mascaro discusses this observation with team members, he finds that no one else has seen such behavior and has not been reported in the study.
As a result of continuing observations based on Mr. Mascaro's information, it is confirmed that other chimpanzees are behaving in the same way on a regular basis. Another male chimpanzee reportedly pulled the insect-bearing leaf toward his mouth, caught the insect with his lips, picked it up with his thumb and index finger, and applied it to the wound on his arm all day long.
In addition, during the 15-month observation, it was confirmed that chimpanzees not only applied insects to their own wounds, but also social behaviors such as applying to another chimpanzee's wound. Click on the image below to see a female chimpanzee applying insects to a child's chimpanzee.
Until now, it has been confirmed that chimpanzees and bonobos swallow medicinal plants to exterminate parasites, but it is the first time that insects have been traumatized.
'The species of insects has not been identified, but it is believed to have some anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and bactericidal activity. Studies on wild chimpanzees have been for decades. Despite what has been done, it's just amazing that they behave unexpectedly. '
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