Recent research published in Frontiers in Evolution and Ecology reveals that wild chimpanzees exhibit self-medicating behaviors that parallel early human health care practices. The study, led by Elodie Freymann from the University of Oxford, combines historical data with eight months of active observation, including video documentation of various chimpanzee medical behaviors. Observations included chimps chewing and applying plant poultices to wounds, cleaning others’ injuries through grooming, and using leaves for hygienic purposes post-defecation or after mating.
This research challenges the notion that humans are the only species capable of providing altruistic care. Notably, chimps not related to one another were observed assisting other individuals in distress. Such findings suggest that the capacity for prosocial behavior and care may have deeper evolutionary roots than previously assumed, possibly tracing back to a common ancestor shared by humans and chimpanzees.
Freymann documented 41 instances of wound care among chimpanzees in Uganda—34 instances of self-care and 7 of care for peers, with several cases involving non-kin animals. This expansion of knowledge regarding chimp self-medication supports the concept that healthcare behaviors might have evolved millions of years ago.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that various animals, including elephants and orangutans, engage in self-medication. It highlights the potential for learning about medicinal plants through observing animal behavior, suggesting that pharmaceutical companies could benefit from these insights. Freymann emphasizes the importance of conserving forest ecosystems, which serve as medicinal resources for primates, and advocates ethical approaches to researching these animal behaviors.
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