Elephants Observed Using Medicinal Plants for Self-Treatment
Research collaborating with local communities suggests African elephants select specific plants for ailments and to aid their young.
African elephants have been observed using dozens of different plant species believed to possess medicinal properties, according to research that partnered with local communities. These observations suggest the animals may self-medicate when ill and even administer remedies to their calves.
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, involved interviews with local people, including wildlife scouts and community elders, who shared accounts of elephant behavior. These local testimonies indicated that elephants select particular plants when they appear unwell.
One account described elephants using a plant known as Angurweet, which is locally recognized for treating ailments such as stomach aches. A wildlife scout reported witnessing elephants, particularly mothers, preparing and giving this plant material to their calves. The scout detailed how mothers would chew the plant, including roots, until it was smooth, and then mix it with their milk before feeding it to their young.
Professor Michael Huffman, a primatologist, described this specific observation as intriguing but noted that further evidence is needed to confirm that elephants provide tailored medical treatment for their calves. To gather this evidence, researchers have begun providing local wildlife experts with cameras to document observed behaviors.
Researchers are also analyzing the plants that elephants are seen using, aiming to identify new medicinal compounds that the elephants themselves may have discovered. Dr. Fabien Schultz from the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine stated that local knowledge has provided a starting point, and the team intends to investigate whether elephants select specific plants in particular health contexts and if those plants exhibit relevant biological activity.
The collaboration included the conservation charity the Mount Elgon Foundation. Participants in the interviews were kept anonymous to encourage open sharing of their experiences. The study concluded that out of 35 different plant species elephants were observed using, 25 are known locally for their medicinal uses.