In a remarkable display of intelligence and ingenuity, a wild orangutan named Rakus in Indonesia has been observed actively treating his own wound using plant leaves with healing properties. This groundbreaking behavior, documented by a team of biologists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and Universitas Nasional, represents the first known case of a wild animal using medicinal plants for wound treatment.

Rakus, a male Sumatran orangutan believed to be around 32 years old, was spotted with a significant wound on his cheek at the Suaq Balimbing research site in the Gunung Leuser National Park in northwest Sumatra on June 22, 2022. Just three days later, he started chewing the stem and leaves of a liana, a vine that orangutans rarely consume in that area. With each passing day, Rakus's behavior became more deliberate and purposeful.

The orangutan spent 13 minutes eating the plant, then spent seven minutes chewing the leaves and applying the resulting juice to his wound. When flies arrived, he fully covered the wound with leaf material, effectively creating a poultice. This remarkable self-treatment continued for several days, and within five days, the wound had closed. By July 19, the wound appeared to have fully healed, leaving only a faint scar behind.

Researchers analyzed the chemical compounds of the plant, Fibraurea tinctoria, and found the presence of furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids. These compounds have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that are relevant to wound healing. The plant is traditionally used in the region to treat various ailments, including dysentery, diabetes, and malaria.

The observation of Rakus's behavior raises intriguing questions about the evolution of self-care and medicine in primates. This self-medication practice may have originated as a fortunate accident, with the plant's pain-relieving effects providing relief and the poultice protecting the wound from flies. The researchers speculate that this behavior could potentially spread socially among orangutans, as these apes are known for learning new skills throughout their lives.

Furthermore, the researchers suggest that this behavior may indicate a common underlying mechanism for recognizing and applying substances with medicinal or functional properties to wounds. The prevalence of wound treatment in both humans and great apes like chimpanzees suggests that a shared last common ancestor might have exhibited similar forms of ointment behavior.

While Rakus's self-medication is a rare occurrence, it sheds light on the incredible intelligence and adaptability of orangutans. As one of the dominant males in the research area, Rakus exemplifies the resilience and thriving nature of these endangered primates.

This discovery opens up new avenues of research into the potential health benefits of medicinal plants for not only orangutans but also other primate species. Understanding the natural healing instincts and abilities of these animals can provide valuable insights into the development of medical treatments and wound care techniques for both humans and wildlife.