Elephants join apes and dolphins in using natural remedies

UPDATE - follow-up to After great apes, scientists find African elephants self-medicate too: Wild elephants travel long distances to reach specific trees without stopping to search for food along the way. Their sole purpose on these journeys is eating the bark or leaves. Animals possess an intuitive understanding of natural medicine. Orangutans treat their wounds with plants, while chimpanzees eat bitter leaves that fight bacteria. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins line up to rub their bodies against chosen corals. Birds line their nests with insect-killing plants to protect themselves from mites that cause anaemia. Researchers call this behavior zoopharmacognosy. Animals use these natural remedies to treat worm problems, breathing troubles, fungal infections, injuries, and stomach issues. Most healing items come from plants such as bark, leaves, and resin. Animals also use charcoal, clay, and insects to heal.

Context

Zoopharmacognosy shows how wild animals rely on nature to stay healthy. This behavior highlights the deep survival instincts present across many different species in the wild.