Do animals know first aid?

LIFE IS FULL OF HAZARDS FOR EVERY WILD animal - and injuries involving open wounds can often lead to a slow death from infection, unless licking the site alone is sufficient to keep it bacteria-free. But scientists in Uganda have witnessed a more sophisticated approach to wound care and social wellbeing practised by eastern chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, in the country’s Western Region.

- Sheena Harvey

This semi-deciduous tropical rainforest is home to several communities of chimps that are prone to injuries caused by accidents and fights, as well as lacerations made by human snares. Over the months of the study, 40 per cent of chimps in the Sonso community alone were observed to have suffered snare injuries.

The primates were seen to use natural medicinal aids, choosing fresh leaves from plants known to have chemical properties that promote healing and applying them to their wounds. The chimps also seem to have an awareness of the importance of hygiene.