A recent study published in Plos One has shed new light on the medicinal properties of wild animals, specifically chimpanzees. Researchers at the University of Oxford observed chimpanzees in Uganda consuming tree bark, dead wood, and ferns with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties when they were sick. The researchers conducted pharmacological tests on plant extracts from the reserve to confirm their medicinal properties.
The study found that 88% of the plant extracts inhibited bacterial growth, and 33% had anti-inflammatory properties. The researchers also observed unusual feeding episodes and self-medication-like behaviors among sick or injured chimpanzees. This research could lead to the development of new drugs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Another study focused on the behavior of rhesus macaques on Monkey Island in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María destroyed much of the vegetation. The macaques increased their tolerance and decreased aggression towards each other in response to the scarcity of shade caused by the hurricane. Macaques that shared shade were more likely to survive post-hurricane conditions.
The hurricane changed the social dynamics of the macaque population, leading to increased tolerance and cooperation among individuals. This study highlights the adaptive behaviors of animals in response to environmental changes.
