Researchers recently observed a Sumatran orangutan named Rakus using a specific plant to treat a serious wound. This groundbreaking event sheds new light on primate behaviors and marks a significant moment in the study of animal self-medication. The discovery provides insights into the potential evolutionary roots of medicinal practices.
Observation of a Unique Behavior
In June 2022, researchers in Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park observed Rakus, an adult male Sumatran orangutan, with a fresh facial wound. Three days after the injury, Rakus deliberately sought out and prepared a specific plant. He carefully plucked leaves and stems from a liana vine, chewing them without swallowing to create a pasty mixture. He then meticulously applied this mixture to his open wound for several minutes, pressing the material over the injury to create a makeshift bandage.
Researchers continued to monitor Rakus, noting he spent more time resting than usual. Within five days, the wound on his cheek had closed, and by July 19, it appeared fully healed with no signs of infection.
The Medicinal Plant: Akar Kuning
The plant Rakus used was identified as Fibraurea tinctoria, known locally as Akar Kuning, or yellow root. This evergreen climbing plant is native to Southeast Asia and recognized in traditional medicine for its therapeutic qualities. Its properties include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, pain-relieving, and antioxidant effects. Local communities have historically used Akar Kuning to address conditions like dysentery, diabetes, malaria, and general pain and inflammation.
Chemical analyses of Fibraurea tinctoria reveal furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids. These compounds are known for biological activities relevant to wound healing, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. Akar Kuning is not a common food source for orangutans, but Rakus’s selective use for his injury highlights its specific medicinal value.
Implications for Animal Self-Medication
Rakus’s self-treatment is the first documented instance of a wild animal applying a potent medicinal plant directly to an open wound. This observation significantly advances the understanding of zoopharmacognosy, the study of self-medication in animals. Previous instances include apes swallowing rough leaves to expel parasites or rubbing plant juices on their bodies. Rakus’s actions, however, demonstrate a more complex and targeted application of a therapeutic agent.
This behavior suggests a level of cognitive ability and intentionality that challenges previous assumptions about animal intelligence. It raises questions about how such knowledge is acquired, whether through individual innovation, accidental discovery, or social learning. This finding also implies that the capacity for treating injuries with natural substances might be an ancient trait, potentially predating humanity and extending to a common ancestor shared by humans and great apes.
Future Insights and Ethnobotany
The discovery of Rakus’s self-medication opens new avenues for research in primatology and ethnobotany. Continued observation of primates could reveal further instances of sophisticated medicinal behaviors. Understanding how these animals identify and utilize plants for healing can provide valuable insights into natural pharmacopoeia and potentially inspire new human medicines. The study of animal self-medication encourages a deeper appreciation for the ecological knowledge present in the natural world.
This observation serves as a reminder of the intricate connections between animals, plants, and their shared environments. It underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, as ecosystems may hold undiscovered natural remedies and insights into the evolution of health-seeking behaviors. The behavior of Rakus highlights the ongoing potential for significant discoveries in the study of animal intelligence and the complex ways in which living organisms interact with their natural surroundings.