How a Wild Orangutan’s Use of Medicinal Plants Reveals the Secrets of Animal Intelligence



Left: Pictures of Fibraurea tinctoria leaves. The length of the leaves is between 15 to 17 cm. Right: Rakus feeding on Fibraurea tinctoria leaves (photo taken on June 26, the day after applying the plant mesh to the wound). Scientific Reports (Sci Rep) ISSN 2045-2322.

Nature’s Ingenious Healers

In a new study documented in the lush rainforests of the Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia, a male Sumatran orangutan has been observed applying a biologically active plant to a facial wound. This intriguing behavior not only showcases the intelligence of orangutans but also opens new avenues in understanding the evolutionary origins of medicine. Here’s an overview of this fascinating study, which could reshape our understanding of non-human self-medication and its implications for natural healing practices.

Intelligent Healing: Orangutan’s Use of Medicinal Plants

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and several Indonesian institutions captured a rare and enlightening behavior exhibited by a male Sumatran orangutan named Rakus. After sustaining a facial wound, Rakus was observed selecting, chewing, and applying leaves from the Fibraurea tinctoria plant—commonly known as Akar Kuning—directly onto the wound. Over several days, he applied the masticated leaves and juice, effectively managing his injury.



Process of wound healing. Rakus fed on and later applied the masticated leaves of Fibraurea tinctoria to his facial wound on June 25. On June 26 he was again observed feeding on Fibraurea tinctoria leaves (see photo). By June 30 the wound was closed and by August 25 was barely visible anymore. Scientific Reports (Sci Rep) ISSN 2045-2322.

Fibraurea Tinctoria: Nature’s Pharmacy

Akar Kuning is not just any plant; it’s a cornerstone of traditional medicine in Southeast Asia, renowned for its analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The study highlights the presence of furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids in the plant, compounds known for their antibacterial and healing capabilities. This suggests that Rakus’s choice of treatment was not coincidental but driven by an intrinsic understanding or learned behavior regarding the plant’s medicinal benefits.

Implications for Human and Veterinary Medicine

This behavior documented by the research team is among the first systematically observed case of a wild animal using a biologically active substance for wound treatment, providing invaluable insights into the potential origins of medicinal practices among humans.

Active wound treatment among great apes was only recently observed for the first time outside of the Sumatran orangutan. In Loango National Park, Gabon, researchers documented chimpanzees from the Rekambo community using insects as a form of medication. These chimpanzees applied insects to their own wounds and those of their peers, with nineteen instances of self-treatment and three instances where they treated other members of their community. This behavior provides further evidence of the sophisticated self-medication practices that exist within the great ape species.

The findings could have significant implications not only for understanding animal behavior but also for veterinary and even human medicine, offering natural alternatives or complements to synthetic drugs.

Evolutionary Perspectives on Health

The observation suggests that the use of medicinal plants is possibly an evolved trait among great apes, indicating that such practices could date back to common ancestors shared with humans. This behavior demonstrates a complex level of cognitive function and environmental awareness, suggesting that orangutans might be capable of health management practices that have evolved independently but parallel to human developments.

Future Research and Conservation Efforts

The study underscores the importance of continued research and conservation efforts in the habitats of orangutans. Understanding their behavior and environment not only helps protect these intelligent creatures but also aids in preserving the rich biodiversity of the rainforests, which holds untapped potential for medicinal discoveries.

Summing Up

The self-medication behavior exhibited by the Sumatran orangutan opens up new dialogues in both the scientific community and public sphere about the cognitive capabilities of non-human primates and their conservation. As we delve deeper into the natural world’s secrets, such studies are pivotal in bridging the gap between human and animal health practices, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life on Earth.

By promoting awareness and fostering research in these critical areas, we can better appreciate our closest living relatives’ sophisticated behaviors and the natural resources that our planet has to offer. This study is not just a testament to the intelligence of orangutans but also a call to action for conservation and respect for wildlife and their natural habitats.

The Global Plastic Crisis: Corporate Accountability & Reduction Strategies



Photo of plastics near trees. Myanmar (Burma). Photo by Stijn Dijkstra, Pexels.

The global plastic pollution crisis, driven by major corporations, has reached alarming levels. The recent study “Global Producer Responsibility for Plastic Pollution,” published in Science Advances, reveals a direct link between corporate plastic production and the branded waste found polluting our planet.

Key Findings of Plastic Pollution and Corporate Influence

The study, conducted over five years (2018-2022) across 84 countries, with particularly robust coverage in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, analyzed over 1,500 brand audits to quantify the sources of plastic pollution. The findings are staggering:

  • Just 56 companies accounted for over 50% of all branded plastic pollution documented globally.

  • The top contributors include The Coca-Cola Company at 11%, followed by PepsiCo (5%), Nestlé (3%), Danone (3%), and Altria (2%).

  • There was a clear linear relationship between a company’s plastic production levels and the amount of its branded plastic pollution found in the environment.

  • Food and beverage companies producing single-use plastics were disproportionately higher polluters compared to their production volumes.

  • A startling 50% of the plastic pollution items found were completely unbranded. This highlights the need for improved labeling to identify polluter sources and hold companies responsible.

These results show evidence that major corporations are driving the global plastic crisis through their excessive production of disposable plastic products and packaging. Food and beverage companies, which produce many single-use plastic products, were disproportionately higher polluters relative to their production volumes compared to companies making longer-lasting household and retail products. 

There were noticeable gaps in data from regions like South America, central and north Asia, the Middle East, and central Africa.

Strategies for Reducing Corporate Plastic Pollution

To combat global plastic pollution effectively, the study suggests several strategies:

  • Phase out non-essential single-use plastics: Corporate polluters, especially the largest polluters identified, need to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic products.

  • Invest in alternative materials: Develop and utilize safer, sustainable materials.

  • Implement reuse and refill systems: Promote systems that reduce the need for single-use packaging and promote and alternative materials.

  • Maintain standards of transparency and accountability: Develop international standards for packaging labeling and branding.

The study also revealed that 50% of plastic pollution items found were completely unbranded, highlighting a critical lack of transparency and traceability. To address this, the researchers recommend the creation of an international, open-access database where companies would be required to report their plastic pollution – from production to waste.

By holding corporations accountable and compelling them to fundamentally shift away from single-use plastics, we can move towards tackling the plastic pollution crisis. This data-driven approach provides a clear roadmap for environmental activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens to demand urgent action from the world’s largest plastic polluters.

The Role of Transparency and Accountability

The study recommends creation of an open-access global database where companies must quantitatively track and report their plastic product and packaging data, as well as releases into the environment. 

There is yet no single, comprehensive global database that mandates reporting of all corporate plastic production and waste; however, there are several initiatives that aim to increase transparency and accountability.

  • The Global Commitment and Plastic Pact Network led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation requires members to track and report their progress on plastic waste reduction. The Plastic Disclosure Project also encourages companies to voluntarily report their plastic pollution.

  • The European Union has implemented directives requiring companies to report on packaging and waste. 

  • The Global Plastic Action Partnership also engages stakeholders to shape national action plans on plastic pollution.

  • Some countries have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, which requires producers to report on production, recycling, and waste management activities. 

Mobilizing Stakeholders for Action

The clear link established between corporate plastic production and environmental pollution underscores an urgent need for systemic changes in how plastic products are produced, used, and disposed of. With a significant portion of plastic pollution traceable back to a handful of major corporations, especially those producing single-use plastics, the path forward requires a combined effort of corporate innovation and robust governmental regulation. By focusing on extended producer responsibility and encouraging sustainable alternatives, we can significantly reduce plastic pollution and move towards a more circular economy. It is crucial for governments, corporations, and consumers to work together to implement these changes and preserve our environment for future generations.

No More Excuses

The era of excuses and inaction has ended. We must hold these corporations accountable for their contributions to the plastic pollution crisis.


Source: Cowger, W., Willis, K. A., Bullock, S., Conlon, K., Emmanuel, J., Erdle, L. M., Eriksen, M., Farrelly, T. A., Hardesty, B. D., Kerge, K., Li, N., Li, Y., Liebman, A., Tangri, N., Thiel, M., Villarrubia-Gómez, P., Walker, T. R., & Wang, M. (2024). “Global producer responsibility for plastic pollution.” Science Advances, 10(eadj8275).

The Cleanest Air: Understanding the Pristine Air of the Southern Ocean



Fluffy clouds and blue sky background. Credit: Photo by Engin Akyurt on Unsplash.

New Study Unveils Link Between Cloud Type, Precipitation and Air Quality Over Southern Ocean

The atmosphere over the Southern Ocean (SO) is noted for being exceptionally clean, largely untouched by anthropogenic or terrestrial emissions. This quality makes the SO an ideal natural laboratory for studying pre-industrial climate conditions and the interactions between aerosols, clouds, and precipitation.

A recent study published in Nature delves into the intricacies of aerosol removal by precipitation. Researchers from Monash University, the Australian Research Council, and other institutions analyzed several years of observational data from the Kennaook/Cape Grim Observatory in Tasmania. They focused on two distinct cloud patterns: open puffy mesoscale cellular convection (MCC) and closed flat MCC. Here are the key takeaways from the study:

Key Findings

  • Cloud Type and Rainfall: The study found that open, puffy clouds produced heavier and more frequent rainfall (1.72 mm per day, occurring around 17% of the time) compared to closed, flat clouds (0.29 mm per day, occurring only 4.5% of the time).

  • Connection to Air Quality: Surprisingly, the researchers observed lower levels of tiny particles (called cloud condensation nuclei or CCN) in the air during periods when open, puffy clouds dominated (69 particles per cubic centimeter) compared to when closed, flat clouds dominated (89 particles per cubic centimeter). This suggests that the heavier rainfall from open clouds may be “cleaning out” the atmosphere through a process called wet deposition.

  • Seasonal Variations: The inverse relationship between rainfall and CCN levels held true across different seasons, with the most pristine air observed during the winter months when open clouds dominated. The study also noted that open clouds were most frequent during the winter. These cycles suggest a robust interplay between the oceanic emissions and the atmospheric conditions over the year.

  • Weather Influences: The study highlighted the crucial role played by weather factors, such as atmospheric stability and surface air pressure patterns, in influencing the cloud shape, rainfall rates, and ultimately, the observed CCN levels.

  • Daily Cycle: Interestingly, while rainfall peaked in the early morning hours, the CCN cycle was out of phase, suggesting that weather factors, rather than CCN levels, were the primary drivers of the daily rainfall cycle.

These findings underscore the complex interplay between clouds, precipitation, and aerosols in the remote Southern Ocean region. The study suggests that the heavier precipitation from open cellular cloud patterns may be removing or washing out more particles from the atmosphere.

Implications for Climate Models

The detailed observation of wet deposition mechanisms and their interaction with CCN offers valuable insights into cloud formation and precipitation processes. These insights help refine climate models, particularly in predicting the radiative balance and hydrological responses of the earth’s system under varying climatic conditions.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how aerosols, clouds, and precipitation interact over the Southern Ocean is important because it helps improve climate models, making them better at predicting weather and climate changes. This is important for humanity to enhance our ability to prepare for and adapt to future environmental changes and extreme weather events, which can have significant impacts on agriculture, water resources, and overall human well-being.


Source: Alinejadtabrizi, T., Lang, F., Huang, Y., Ackermann, L., Keywood, M., Ayers, G., Krummel, P., Humphries, R., Williams, A. G., Siems, S. T., & Manton, M. (2024). Wet deposition in shallow convection over the Southern Ocean. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science.