Animals also practice “first aid”, an issue that we have already addressed several times in the past, talking for example about ants. The most promising animals from this point of view, however, are obviously primates: last year we told you about the emergency room of orangutans, and a few months ago about the “chimpanzee pharmacy”.
Well, a study published on Scientific Reports adds fuel to the fire, so to speak: another population of Ugandan chimpanzees has been seen medicating themselves, demonstrating that it is widespread behavior within the species.
The point of the situation. The first testimony of chimpanzees practicing first aid came in 2019 from Gabon: for the first time one of these primates was filmed smearing an insect (with antiseptic properties) on the arm of his injured son. A couple of years later, a similar behavior was observed in Uganda, in Kibale National Park, but with less frequency (in five years of observations, the team studying the chimpanzees witnessed just three first aid operations), and with the use of leaves and not insects.
The study. The most recent research still focuses on the chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, but has produced more interesting numbers: within six months, the team led by Kayla Kolff of Osnabrück University observed six emergency room cases. Five of these were self-medicating, while in one case a chimpanzee disguised himself as a doctor and intervened on a companion. How? As Gabonese chimpanzees do: applying insects with antiseptic properties to the wound.
Yes, but which insects? The insects in question have not yet been identified: the chimpanzees catch them while flying and smear them on the wound, stopping every now and then to chew them. Furthermore, field observations have also shown that, when a chimpanzee medicates himself, the others observe him with curiosity: this is also how knowledge is transmitted.
Widespread habit. The fact that this first aid method is identical in the chimpanzees of Gabon and those of Uganda therefore demonstrates that it is not a behavior “invented” by a single population, but a widespread habit in the species, although obviously we do not yet know to what extent.
What is certain is that chimpanzees know that certain leaves and certain insects are good for health and help heal wounds: a confirmation that they should be included in the (for now) limited group of animals that practice first aid.
