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Sumatran orangutan in Indonesia has self-medicated using a paste made from plants to heal a large wound on his cheek, say scientists (www.bbc.com)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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It is the first time a creature in the wild has been recorded treating an injury with a medicinal plant.

After researchers saw Rakus applying the plant poultice to his face, the wound closed up and healed in a month.

Scientists say the behaviour could come from a common ancestor shared by humans and great apes.

"They are our closest relatives and this again points towards the similarities we share with them. We are more similar than we are different," said biologist Dr Isabella Laumer at the Max Planck institute in Germany and lead author of the research.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago

Yea, I always knew dogs were smart. But after having them myself, the depth of emotional understanding and support they really provide was mind blowing