In the wilds of Gabon, chimpanzees were observed catching flying insects and gently applying them to open wounds — not just their own, but sometimes those of others. This behavior may represent the first documented case of wild animals using other species to medically treat wounds, a potential form of self-medication and social caregiving.
Download This Infographic
Sources:
- Deschner, T., et al. (2022). Insect-Mediated Wound Care by Wild Chimpanzees. Current Biology.
- ScienceAlert. “Chimpanzees Observed Treating Wounds With Insects in the Wild.”
- Nature News, 2022.