Ape Medicine

From Origin Stories by The Leakey Foundation

October 8, 2024 · 24 min · Episode 84

About this episode

This episode explores the surprising ways orangutans and chimpanzees practice medicine, challenging the notion of uniquely human behaviors.

Are humans the only animals that practice medicine? In this episode, two scientists share surprising observations of orangutans and chimpanzees treating wounds–their own and others'–with plants and insects. These discoveries challenge ideas about uniquely human behaviors and offer insights into animal intelligence, empathy, and the evolutionary roots of medicine. Origin Stories is a project of The Leakey Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and outreach. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to learn more about our work! Videos Rakus and his wound Rakus doing a long call after being wounded Chimp applying insect to wound Caroline Schuppli on Lunch Break Science Links to learn more SUAQ Orangutan Program Ozouga Chimpanzees (where Alessandra studies chimpanzee behavior) Research papers Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan (open access) Application of insects to wounds of self and others by chimpanzees in the wild (pdf) Credits Origin Stories is a listener-supported show. Additional support comes from Jeanne Newman, , Camilla and George Smith, the Ann and Gordon Getty…

People in this episode

Guest: Caroline Schuppli

Topics covered

animal behavior
medicine
evolution
intelligence
empathy

Keywords

medicine
orangutans
chimpanzees
animal intelligence
self-treatment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Leakey Foundation, SUAQ Orangutan Program, Ozouga Chimpanzees

Books & works: Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan, Application of insects to wounds of self and others by chimpanzees in the wild