Orangutans, with their captivating eyes and distinctive facial hair, bear a striking resemblance to humans. In fact, their name comes from the Malay words for person and forest. Recently, researchers witnessed a male orangutan named Rakus using a plant to heal a wound on his face, showcasing their remarkable similarities to us.
Field biologist Ulil Azhari observed Rakus, a Sumatran orangutan, in Indonesia’s Gunung Leuser National Park on June 25, 2022. Rakus chewed a liana plant, known as Akar Kuning locally, and applied the paste to a wound on his cheek, possibly from a previous altercation. This plant, Fibraurea tinctoria, is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, commonly used in traditional medicine.
Isabelle Laumer, a cognitive biologist at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, was intrigued by Rakus’ deliberate actions and the successful healing of his wound within five days. This behavior suggests a level of intentionality and intelligence in orangutans that continues to fascinate researchers.
2024-05-02 10:00:00
Source from www.sciencenews.org