Researchers say African elephants use dozens of different plant species with medicinal properties to treat illnesses in themselves and in other members of their family groups, according to a new study.
The investigation catalogued a broad repertoire of botanical remedies and observed elephants deliberately seeking out particular plants when sick, the researchers reported. The findings suggest these animals are able to identify and apply plant-based compounds for therapeutic purposes.
Scientists described the behaviour as evidence of complex, adaptive health-related practices in wild elephants, noting that the use of botanical remedies goes beyond incidental ingestion. In some cases, elephants appeared to target specific plants or parts of plants in ways consistent with medicinal intent.
The study's authors said the results add to growing evidence that self-medication and social care for the ill are more widespread in wildlife than previously recognised. They called for further work to better understand how elephants learn about medicinal plants, how widespread the behaviour is across populations, and what implications it has for elephant health and conservation.
Researchers also suggested the findings could help inform conservation and veterinary strategies by highlighting the importance of plant resources and habitat diversity for elephant wellbeing. They urged continued monitoring and interdisciplinary study to map the relationships between animal behaviour, plant chemistry and health outcomes.