Orangutan seen “self-medicating” in world first | BBC Global

Scientists have observed a never-before-seen behaviour by a wild orangutan.
Rakus, a Sumatran orangutan in Indonesia, was seen self-medicating using a paste made from plants to heal a large wound on his cheek.
Primatologist Dr Isabelle Laumer, the lead author of the research, provides insights into this unprecedented event.
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[@papableeks9738]

Homie is one word away from paying taxes

[@Voodoomaria]

In Indonesia, they say Orangutans CAN talk, they just don't do it around Humans because if we heard them, we'd give them jobs.

[@Mr.Sr.Jr.]

You really think he's going to jump from being an orangutan to a white person overnight? I don't think so I think there's going to be a few thousand years of him not paying taxes or registering his guns before he is fully evolved

[@user-jo4wq3uk1k]

Maurice I see you

[@lameguy9862]

Maurice is outdated now lol

[@realbosstakea]

@@lameguy9862 noooo he isnt hes still alive kingdom was 300 years later not now

[@OpekeNP]

@@lameguy9862*Maurice is Goated now lol

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

We're starting to learn just how much the other inhabitants of our planet actually know. From these lovely fellow primates to corvids to octopuses, all around us are critters that know more than we give them credit for. Hopefully we learn to save them, rather than cause their extinction, too.

[@hoover133]

If it took until 2024 to realize this, it shows the ignorance of people. Most will watch this and simply go to the next video in the algorithm.

[@madder6218]

Here here, I hope that we can emotionally grow from the mistakes of our individual and species past to make better decisions for the future. So that all life can enjoy the beauty of this amazing planet

[@madder6218]

​​@@hoover133not necessarily I think alot of stagnation has been on the lack of accessible knowledge up until this technological leap. I hope more people see it, once they know they know. They may not actively think about it as much as the Roman empire however it's simmering back there in their knowledge box to hopefully come to realise the wonder of life. Lots of young people on the internet, I certainly didn't have the views I do now (31yrs) back then. I hope they see the world and become enthralled at its amazement as much as I did and do. Whether that day passes for each does not change my awe and curiosity for the extraordinary diversity of life on our little grain of sand in space.

[@Areaninetyone]

do not count octopus in that bracket their intelligence is highly misunderstood and over exaggerated.They appear to be smarter than they are because of the bundles of nerves in their arms that allows for independent reaction and interaction.

[@luisvelez1952]

Imagine how Chimpanzees, Bonobos and Orangutans are going to behave in they were introduced in North and South America.

[@Bargadiel]

Dogs will eat grass when they have stomach problems, so it does make sense that primates would, at a more advanced level, understand that maybe specific plants and actions help better.

[@Meow-ee9zo]

I think that’s more instinct than purposeful self medicating as seen with this orangutan. It’s known that even dinosaurs ate pebbles to help digest food.

[@jc._.goated]

How would eating pebbles help them digest food?

[@rainbow_af3171]

Tigers does this too .

[@rhettagon]

@@jc._.goated These are called gatroliths, and basically they help grind up food for larger herbivorous creatures.

[@jc._.goated]

@@rhettagon ah, thanks

[@chickendrawsdogs3343]

A wound like that completely sealed in a few days?? That's not an orangutan, that's Wolverine!

[@judigemini178]

Lol you think they're eating Mcdonalds cr*p like humans do? They definitely have way better immune systems & their wounds healing much faster is no surprise

[@RhiannonSenpai]

Not a few days, the healing lasted one month, 3 days later was when the scientists observed that the orangutan applied the plant on his face.

[@tactile2878]

Wolverang

[@prschuster]

Considering the great advancements humans have made in culture, it wouldn't be surprising that apes have made a few modest advances as well.

[@Voodoomaria]

The Indonesians say Orangutans CAN speak like men, but they never do it where we can hear, because if we did, we'd make them take JOBS.

[@halbronco7690]

great relative to what you goober

[@gabet7193]

@@halbronco7690 Is everything alright over at home, little buddy?

[@febriumbararusdi9514]

100% respect to all scientist who observed these nature and animals ❤

[@grawakendream8980]

the real shocking part was when he remembered to put his phone number in when he was asked if he was a cvs rewards member

[@KnightmarelXXvII]

"We will definitely keep an eye open." Good one

[@DullyDust]

I would absolutely love to know why he knew about this plant and seemed to be very confident that it would work. I think it would be a huge breakthrough for science if we could understand how he knew where to get it and that it would work, when we apparently haven't seen any other orangutans do it since at least 1994

[@ASm_rtOtaku]

There are 2 possibilities 1. Orangutans, typically those that live near Small Villages, will watch and mimic human behaviors. They'll cut wood with a handsaw, row on a canoe, and use a bucket and a washboard to "clean" fabrics. Probably saw humans use that plant as medicine on more than one occasion and caught on. 2. It was information that was passed on from parent to child. If it was the second one, that speaks volumes of their intellect.

[@TR4R]

I guess it was trial and error by his ancestors and the knowledge has been passed on through generations. I guess that plant isn't particularly delicious, otherwise they would just eat it...

[@Triattt]

It might not be about plant knowledge. It's possible that plant made him salivate more, making it easier to produce a paste that would cover the wound and give him some relief. The medicinal properties may have been just a coincidence. Much like the other male that seeked relief by putting his finger in the cool water.

[@jokuvaan5175]

​@@TriatttOr then it's wired to its brain through evolution. Smell or taste will trigger a feeling that the plant might relieve the pain. Would be a useful evolutionary trait that might get passed on in genes. Then again oranfutans are also very smart and have great capacity for learning. Also could be a bit of both genes and learning involved.

[@asdadfafafafffallslsldd8068]

A theory is that they have imitated humans. Orangutans are great imitators. Also it may just be a coincidence the ape used just that plant. Apes are smart, but I don't think they would be smart enough to figure out such thing on their own. Either way it's vey fascinating.

[@savannahp6359]

7 minutes he was doing it and they have no footage of it, yet they have so much footage of him not doing it.

[@dubnation1360]

Are you implying they’re lying abt it?

[@erickperez8770]

​@@dubnation1360 I mean.. where's the evidence?

[@Kyoryu_The_One]

@@erickperez8770 i would take this with a grain of salt as much as i want this to be real i would need to see actual evidence

[@JasonB808]

Monkey smarter than most teen TikTokers. 😂

[@haired9]

Apes not monkey Monkey have tails, apes don't

[@Areaninetyone]

How are you calling other people's intelligence into question when you A. legitimately think this is a monkey or B. Are so unoriginal you actually think that's funny, Either way do not call anyone else's intellectual prowess into question when your ignorance by choice is on full public display.

[@Pokeymarmot7168]

And adult.

[@user-ft5xh4tc8l]

Insulting the intelligence of others should be the last thing you do, they aren't monkeys, this is widespread knowledge. eVeRY 1 bUT mEE dUm

[@darthpapa696]

ape

[@zolisamaine3518]

7 minutes he was apply medicine but no recordings. How do u not record such ground breaking discovery.

[@cole82663]

The moment he says "NOOOO" we're screwed

[@AtomicHieena]

"E-vo-lution!" - Proximus Caesar What a wonderful day!

[@alo_bris]

I always knew orangutans were special. They are the hermit sage of nature. Always looking calm, not looking for trouble, demonstrating signs of great intelligence and even empathy/selflessness. Love them so much. On the opposite of the spectrum I am deathly afraid of chimpanzees and I definitely don't trust monkeys

[@valleyheat4607]

agreed!

[@fortunewrangler8524]

Smart and cute!!

[@Bern_il_Cinq]

I seen him rolling a blunt too

[@jackb8598]

Wow, so glad the monke did heal from the gore!

[@Janko630]

Dr. Isabella😍🥰🥰

[@uggali]

“He kai te rongoā, he rongoā te kai” -food is medicine, medicine is food. I bet all animals self medicate just the orangutan was obvious enough for yous to observe

[@ZomboseTM]

well, most animals do self medicate in some way, but most just evolves eating certain things, it's never a multi- step process like we see with humans, or, now Orangutans

[@uggali]

@@ZomboseTM is the multiple steps what makes it amazing or was it his knowledge of the plants medicinal properties?

[@ZomboseTM]

@@uggali both, it being multi-step implies he actually knows what he's doing with it by chewing it down and applying it, which is much more similar to how humans apply certain medicine than anything ever seen before

[@the4tierbridge]

@@uggali the point is that the orangutang processed a medicinal plant into medicine.

[@reconnaissance7372]

I wanna know what plant it is I mean, if it promotes wound healing it could literally be of value on a military scale.

[@Herziful]

Too bad that we learn from these amazing, beautiful earthlings so many things - just before they go extinct.

[@itme8622]

I am so sorry for your losses. May they rest in peace.

[@Davums]

if he can self medicate he can pay taxes

[@ColvyMolvy]

You know dude is gonne be the one that makes a universal cure and all he'll just charge us in fruits lol

[@foxinduskk]

"He did that repeatedly for seven minutes" So why are you not showing us this footage, instead you show images that don't prove anything and it's you doing it on yourself what???

[@fuzzbuzz6581]

Don't bear chew on some types of bark for tooth pain?

[@Jumbo344]

Do wounds heal faster when asleep?

[@jacobcox4565]

Yes, sleep is when the body can focus more energy on healing injuries or fighting infections. That's why people recommend bed rest when you're sick or injured.

[@lotlizard8226]

2:05 Yeah after a few days a wound will close. Doesn't look like is eye is doing too well though.

[@ry_jayy]

Yea that's impressive and all but I'm over here thinking what an incredible ASMR voice this person has.

[@804MRMAN]

*This isn't new. I saw Tarzan, the apes taught him how to use all types of plants for medicine*

[@petraco5261]

salam, rakus meaning greedy, while he's sharing recepie can we call him bhakti (good deeds) or berbagi (sharing)

[@Shelly58485]

Wow interesting

[@HW-ow9zp]

not watching (sorry view count) because ive already read about it a few times but this was an awesome story, really just cool on a lot of levels

[@edmundorivera5825]

If this guy evolves any faster he'll be at the pharmacy picking up the wrong medication for the Mrs in no time.

[@missalbania9260]

I learned under Dr. Schwartz and he believed that our closing living relative are orangutans and not chimpanzees. He wrote “The Red Ape: Orangutans and Human Origins” to support his theories. I’m not surprised by this type of behavior at all, they’re highly intelligent and kind.

[@kalm-n-collected6581]

Is it just me or didn’t we already know this? I mean I feel like I seen a movie as a kid of a monkey doing the same thing, or a bear or some idk could have been a fever dream💀but I swear we knew monkeys already had this level of intelligence 😭 if not then excuse my outburst🤓

[@snottytoe6957]

I saw a black man at the CVS buying some aloe cream for a burn so this is nothing entirely new.

[@kiabtoomlauj6249]

The first minute was almost up before I realized the word was MEDICATING. I was looking for some signs, some descriptions, as to how an orangutan could be observed to be MEDITATING! I thought, that would be an extraordinary claim! How would you go about proving that a wild animal, so impulsive and easily agitated... was capable of MEDITATING?

[@lolollhe3361]

hahahahaha same here I was like wtf why are orangutans meditating

[@peterkavanagh64]

Minerals self

[@joshjacob1530]

Master monke race no doubt about it

[@Dailyviralhiphop]

What’s her @

[@FireSilver25]

Why are people surprised? Indigenous folks all over the globe learned about medicines from watching what plants the animals ate when they were sick or injured. 😂

[@LyricSnowe]

Wow you are smarter than all of us. Congratulations.

[@thomasthecommentrater3703]

You must have been as smart as you are now since you were five 😂

[@iponce2]

A lot of indigenous knowledge got destroyed or written off as superstition by more "advanced" civilizations. This is basically new knowledge.

[@TR4R]

Yeah, unfortunately aboriginals could have some medical knowledge but getting exposed to unknown pathogens when contacting other civilizations caused havoc and chaos around the world as they obviously couldn't have vaccines nor natural immunity.

[@Dr._Atom]

Did they also watch what plants the animals apply to their wounds like the video here?

[@ManahManah77]

Yet when I do it people get mad.

[@TheGoddon]

We should let them evolve.

[@donnellbrown5288]

... lol scientists just arent the same lol

[@charliecook-pt6gu]

Poor guy doesnt know about marijuana.

[@AManChoosesASlaveObeys]

Oh, If they bad they would. Even elephants and giraffes get drunk on fermented Amarula on purpose.

[@inavderhexo]

If an orangutan can learn how to perfectly drive a golf cart then it's not that surprising that they know how to make herbal medicine out plants naturally found in their home environment. We tend to forget how big brained orangutans are.

[@maymayman0]

Can I just say how sad that thumbnail makes me... can you please not put an animal with an open wound onto my feed please and thank you. What the hell

[@JURGEART]

A bunch of pseudo scientists making stuff up, shows only a video of orangutan eating leaves and a random photo of the same orangutan... still eating leaves. And to think they presumably studied him for weeks and yet not even a photo of him actually applying the chewed plant on his face, lmao.

[@papsiboi]

not that cool humans have been doing this for more that 4000 years

[@awake3083]

And? The reason why its so cool and fascinating is because its an orangutan doing it

[@TheDuup]

Quran 6:38 "There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered."

[@bakunawa6134]

I like to imagine what this mfs would be doing millions of years from now when humans have gone extinct they'd probably lose their body hair, walk upright and starts farming and building pyramids then its humans all over again

[@GreyThinkMedia]

She's pretty... I'm drunk

[@ZaviaaDHagwood]

The orangutan ?!

[@GreyThinkMedia]

@@ZaviaaDHagwood lol beer goggles

[@Maximo69]

Mmmmmm monkeh

[@stevielol3095]

She’s bad though

[@northernsnow6982]

Why is this news all of a sudden? We've known this about primates since the 1980s. We've known it about other animals also. Self-medicadtion has a name when dealing with the wild. It's called zoopharmacognosy, a word coined in the early 1990s. This is definitely not new information.

[@madder6218]

I think it's mostly because of the video evidence. Notes are subject to human error but this is irrefutable. We also now have the knowledge and understanding to scientifically prove the plant they are using has medicinal benefits and thus it is very clear they are definitely using it for its healing properties. Do I agree with all of this time and effort to respectfully recognise animals for the intelligent beings they are, most definitely not, do others need this to open their minds maybe. I very much hope above all else we can preserve the diversity on this planet in time to not ripple into climate catastrophe.

[@alicewright4322]

the new part is that it makes a salve by chewing it and applies it to a wound instead of just eating it.

[@northernsnow6982]

@alicewright4322 Yes, but elephants applying mud to treat sunburn is not them eating it. That was from an older video that I couldn't find, along with bugs that do something similar to wounds. I managed to find an article called, "Animals use natural to heal themselves." It's from 2003, and talks about monkeys rubbing millipedes on their fur, to outright kill other insects with the chemical that comes from them. These are not new discoveries.

[@scallie6462]

No wonder novody body nows what your talking about, look at that circus of a word

[@northernsnow6982]

@scallie6462 Triskaidekaphobia is a crazier word, yet most people know about the fear of the number 13. You don't need to know a word in order to understand a concept. Just like you don't have to know what the word "equanimity" means, in order to be mentally and emotionally stable while under stress. As if knowing what a word means makes it so you're an expert on the subject matter. Just look at the term "rocket science." Many people know what it means, yet have no clue how to make a rocket.

[@martingab2556]

And of course they don’t show the actual footage and expect us to just believe there words

[@ballskin]

you're like a child lmao

[@jackyhawkins1895]

Smart Orangutan. Who needs big pharmas

[@MaryAnnNytowl]

Oh, I don't know. Maybe people whose lives depend on pharmaceuticals? Like Type 1 Diabetics, as a for-instance. I mean, sure, they charge way too much, especially in some countries, but without them, those Type 1 diabetics wouldn't survive for more than a few unpleasant years of childhood, at best. We need Pharma. What we don't need is poorly regulated Pharma.

[@CatsOfMarrakech]

Cats eat catnip which calms them

[@SoirEkim]

Nature speaks to us. Only those whose consciousness is receptive will understand the way in which nature teaches. Those who listen are empowered to do great things. Those individuals are not always human…

[@3rdStoneObliterum]

Nothing worse than having to suffer through a British accent

[@John858_]

It’s a German accent clearly

[@northernsnow6982]

There's not much worse than you thinking this is a British accent and making such an uneducated comment.

[@12SickOne34]

Ob Du dumm bist, frage ich dich!

[@TikiRainbows]

they got their own style of healthcare. No money to buy neosporin, nature truly does provide. they could teach us a lot

[@Areaninetyone]

Bruh did you not hear the part where the lady said what that plant is usually used for, it's an ingredient used in stuff probably like Neosporin...

[@frazierk300]

@@Areaninetyone right like bro we literally know what the plant provides healthcare wise what tf are they gonna teach us lol ppl just leave dumb comments like that way to often

[@AngelHoliday275]

I wish so bad that these videos could one day be narrated by people I can understand.

[@Leafgreen1976]

We're the dummies,not them.

[@mandela464]

idk man.. we kinda dominate them in intelligence 10x fold

[@Dinosaurprince]

No proof given.

[@jacobcox4565]

There's literally footage of it.

[@BeegRanho]

1:00 to 1:12 Here is the ape feeding on the medicinal plant 1:14 And here, the orangutan with the plant covering its wound. You're welcome

[@houdinididiit]

Humans have craved mud when needing minerals. Dogs crave grass for upset stomachs. Pregnant women crave specific nutrition for the unborn. Certain smells are medicinal. Bee hives are sterile from propolis. Not shocked at all here. Next story...

[@houria1483]

Scientists group who rely on Big Pharma, finding out Orangutan knowledge did not come from Big Bang theorists 😄

[@LumpyBumpyAcidFish]

no footage no proof

[@ballskin]

there's no footage of anything prior to the advent of film, so i guess nothing happened prior. ahh, to have a subzero iq