Nature
Elephants in Kenya Consume Medicinal Plants When Ill
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that elephants in Kenya deliberately consume medicinal plants when sick, utilizing 35 different species to treat themselves and their calves. Researchers interviewed caretakers in the Mount Elgon region who observed these behaviors, noting that mothers mix the plant 'angurweet' with milk for newborns suffering from stomach pain. Dr. Elodie Freymann of Brown University suggests this self-medication could help humans discover new remedies, emphasizing the need to protect forests from logging and poaching. While similar behavior exists in other animals, further research using cameras is required to confirm these findings.
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