Rakus, the orangutan caught preparing ‘medicine’ to heal a wound on his own face

If confirmed through other observations, this case would join a growing list of self-medication behaviors in animals, especially primates.

In the 1960s, primatologist Jane Goodall first observed that chimpanzees consumed leaves whose antiparasitic function was later revealed.

This same behavior has since been observed in bonobos and gorillas, which carefully select the plants to ingest and whose knowledge is passed on to the females.

Coincidence or intentional behavior? –

More recently, researchers observed wild Bornean orangutans chewing leaves of a medicinal plant before rubbing their extremities. Dracenea cantleyi is used by indigenous populations to treat muscle and joint pain.

The study considers that Rakus’ behavior, like that of its Borneo counterparts, was intentional. A repeated and meticulous treatment of a specific part of the body, “which took a considerable amount of time”, according to Isabelle Laumer.