DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Maryanne Kane, Journalist
D A ILY INNOVATION BRIEF By Journalists Edward Kane & Marya nne Kane NEW SCIENCE: WILD ORANGUTAN THAT SELF-MEDICATES Source: Suaq Foundation - Rakus International scientists have documented a wild orangutan in an Indonesian National Park that self-medicated and healed its wounds. This is a world first. And it again underscores what we're learning about the astonishing intelligence of the wild creatures around us. Here are the facts: Rakus, a wild male Sumatran orangutan, suffered an eye injury during a fight with a fellow orangutan in a national park in Indonesia Scientists documented the wild animal self-medicating the wound and he healed it within weeks Rakus chewed leaves of a wild medicinal plant into a paste and applied it to the eye wound Weeks later the wound was barely visible The plant is used by humans throughout Southeast Asia to treat pain and inflammation Rakus also applied the plant j