Category: Primate family

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Medicinal use in wild great apes – a new study shows how many

News article on a recent study on chimpanzee medicine

It would appear that chimpanzee medicine is quite a complicated field.

  • Christella parasitica: A fern with anti-inflammatory properties that one chimp ate to reduce pain and swelling in an injured hand
  • Scutia myrtina: A cat-thorn tree whose bark was consumed by a chimp with a parasitic infection
  • Khaya anthotheca: An East African mahogany tree whose bark and resin have anti-inflammatory effects
  • Antiaris toxicaria: A plant with leaves that have anti-tumour properties
  • Cordia abyssinica: A plant with pith that has anti-malarial and anti-bacterial properties
  • Ficus capensis: A plant with anti-bacterial properties
  • Ficus natalensis: A plant with bark that has anti-diarrheal properties
  • Ficus urceolaris: A plant with leaves that act as a de-worming agent
  • Vernonia amygdalina: An African relative of the daisy whose pith is consumed to get rid of intestinal worms
  • They have been known to apply insects to injuries – the insects may have anti-inflammatory or antiseptic properties that help heal wounds. Chimpanzees also have quite a range of cultural behaviours, so there are some of their behaviours with little notable purpose behind them (though it is possible that some or all of these may prove to have a purpose that we as observers have not yet discovered)

This is a significant range of conditions that can be treated, though it should also be noted, that this knowledge is likely to be shared in the group, as no one individual will have seen their mother suffer from all these conditions.

While gorilla medicine does not appear to be quite as advanced, it does include

  • Fromager tree (Ceiba pentandra) – The bark of this tree contains chemicals that are effective against multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli.
  • Giant yellow mulberry (Myrianthus arboreus) – The bark of this tree contains chemicals that are effective against multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli.
  • African teak (Milicia excelsa) – The bark of this tree contains chemicals that are effective against multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli.
  • Fig trees (Ficus) – The bark of these trees contains chemicals that are effective against multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli.

Orangutans have also been observed –

  • Rakus the Sumatran orangutan – In June 2022, researchers observed Rakus treating a wound on his cheek with a poultice made from the leaves of the Akar Kuning plant. Rakus chewed the leaves, applied the juice to the wound, and repeated the process several times. The wound was fully closed within eight days. This was the first time scientists observed a wild animal using a medicinal plant to treat an injury.
  • Bornean orangutans have been observed eating plants with known medicinal properties, including ginger leaves and stem, and plants used by traditional healers to treat internal illness, tumors, and hemorrhage.
  • Orangutans also use plant extracts to treat pain.
  • Dracaena cantleyi – A study found that orangutans use the bioactive properties of Dracaena cantleyi for self-medication.

And finally, Bonobo –

  • Manniophyton fulvum – Bonobos have been observed swallowing the leaves and stem strips of this plant, which has medicinal properties.
  • Leaf-swallowing – Bonobos may swallow leaves as a form of self-medication. One hypothesis is that the leaves act as a time-release capsule, with medicinal and scouring effects.
  • Overlapping plant use – Bonobos’ food repertoire overlaps with many plant species used by local populations to treat disease.

It perhaps should not be a surprise that other great apes have the ability to treat simple ailments – after all, there are a wide range of illnesses, for which a sensible treatment is very simple. One of the most common simple long known treatments in humans in dock leaves – when rubbed on a stinging nettle sting, it greatly reduces both the pain and irritancy of the of the sting. It is not even restricted to the great apes with birds, bees, lizards, and elephants all regularly treating simple conditions. Even a domestic dog knows to eat grass when feeling sick.

Cao Vit gibbon

Cao Vit gibbon

Cao Vit Gibbon

The Cao Vit gibbon is a species found on the border of Vietnam and China. Only thought to number 74 in the wild (and having suffered a loss of 38% of the population in recent years, this is a little known and critically endangered species. Once thought to be a subspecies of the Hainan black crested gibbon, it was found to be far to distinct for this.

Its name is an attempt at mimicking its name.

While in the past it has been hunted, and could be the reason that the population is so low, its biggest threats at the current time, include loss of habitat, and habitat degradation for firewood.

 

 

Any articles on this species will appear below.

 

We also hope to add places for you to see this species in the wild as soon as possible.

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Scientists think they know what wiped out the largest ever ape (a huge species of Orangutan)

Gigantopithecus blacki – the likely largest species of great ape ever to have existed

Thought to have gone extinct 295,000 and 215,000 years ago, having first appeared around 2 million years ago. Rather than being caused by our ancestors, it unfortunately became extinct as a result of the climate became more seasonal and the plant-eating primate struggled to adapt to changing vegetation.

Might this be a for-shadow for the extinction of the rest of the great apes?

The largest ever primate Gigantopithecus blacki went extinct at a time when Asian great apes were thriving, and its demise has long been a considered a mystery. A massive regional study of 22 caves in southern China explores a species on the brink of extinction between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago. As the environment became more seasonal, forest plant communities changed Primates such as orangutans adapted their eating habits and behaviors in response but G. blacki showed signs of stress, struggled to adapt and their numbers dwindled.

This species was 3m (10 feet) tall, it was around twice the weight of the the largest gorillas. It was first identified around 100 years ago, from fossilized teeth (around 2000 have been found) sold as dragon bones. Around (700,000 or) 600,000 years ago we start to see large environmental changes and during that period we see a decline in the availability of fruit.

As a result Giganto (ate) less nutritious fall-back foods. We’ve got evidence from looking at the teeth structure, Westaway added. Pits and scratches on the teeth suggest it was eating really fibrous food such as bark and twigs from the forest floor.

Funnily enough, they are not thought to have ever lived in caves, but instead had their remains carried there.

As there are no, non-cranial fossils (i.e. any fossils of any part of this species below the neck) , it’s hard to know exactly what Gigantopithecus would have looked like. Its upper molars are 57.8% larger than a gorilla’s and the lower molars are 33% larger, suggesting its body weight would have been 200 to 300 kilograms.

Given its size, it is thought to have long abandoned the tree-tops, though given its closest living relative is the Bornean Orangutan, of which, older males are often spending more time on the ground given their large weight as well.

There are fossils of homo erectus from nearby, from around 800,000 years ago, suggesting that we might well have lived alongside them. How happy or harmonious this relationship is, we cannot know. Unfortunately, given recent history, it is quite likely that directly or indirectly we had a hand in this species extinction, given our impact on almost all other species that we know.

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The Skywalker Gibbon has been found living in Myanmar – more than doubles its population

Skywalker gibbon Genus Hoolock

The Skywalker gibbon was only first described in 2017. At that time it was thought that only 150 of this rare species of Hoolock gibbon existed (there are 3 species of Hoolock gibbon, the eastern western and skywalker gibbon).

In a recent discovery, Skywalker gibbons have been found in areas of Northeastern Myanmar, where they have found around 44 groups of this primate. Given that the 150 was thought to be made up of 11 solitary and 32 groups, we can say that roughly speaking a group consists of 4 individuals. If that is true, then this incredibly rare species, has just had its numbers expanded by 133.3% in one go. What is more, is that this part of Myanmar has many other species of gibbon, and it is quite possible that there are more skywalker gibbons as yet unidentified.

This also expands its range beyond the forests of China, well into Myanmar.

It should be noted that this new community lives in forests that have threats of their own.

Oddly, despite gibbons habits of singing loudly at the start of the day, it is only recently that acoustic surveys were used for the Skywalker gibbon. There are 20 wild species of gibbon, and their songs are usually easy to tell apart. This yielded this huge increase in the population of the Skywalker gibbon.

It would appear that the new home of the Skywalker gibbon is little more secure than the old one, suggesting a bigger fight to protect the area which it lives in.

Dryas Monkey

Dryas Monkey

Dryas monkeys, also known as salonga monkeys, are found only in the Congo basin, on the left side of the Congo river. At one time, thought to be a subspecies of the Diana monkey, it is to different to be considered the same species.

While it is currently considered data deficient, there are experts who believe that in fact there are only around 200 remaining in the wild, and it is actually close to extinction. having said that, in 2019 it was discovered in Lomami national park at 8 locations. While it is unclear how many individuals this accounts for, what is clear is that it should only be listed as endangered.

This species prefers secondary forest locations. Although secondary forests are said to be preferred, these monkeys may also inhabit lowlands, rivers, or swampy areas of the Congo.[9]

The diet of the Dryas is said to be made up of mostly plant foods, including fruits, young leaves, and flowers. As these foods are often unavailable, this species also consumes small invertebrates, such as insects, as a supplement

Tantalus monkey

Tantalus monkey

Ranging from Ghana to Sudan, and is listed as least concern. There are 3 recognized subspecies, which is not a surprise given the large area over which it is found. It is also highly adaptable species able to inhabit open woodland, savannah, forest-grassland mosaic and riverside forest. It is at home in secondary forest and even rural and urban locations.

They live in groups of up to 30, with around 10 adult males,

Malbrouk Monkey

Malbrouck monkey

Sometimes, classed as a subspecies of the vervet monkey (or the Grivet). It is found in central and south central Africa, ranging from the Albertine Rift in the DRC west to the Atlantic coast and south to northern Namibia and Zambia west of the Luangwa River. Its choice of habitat, is marshy forests, Savanna-forest and montane forest up to an altitude of 4,500.

They live in groups of 6-50 animals and are active during the day. Each group defends a territory – size depending on the amount of food available.

They are considered least concern

Bale mountain Vervet monkey

Bale mountain vervet Genus Chlorebus

Bale mountains Vervet Monkey

This monkey is found in the Bale mountains of Ethiopia, in the bamboo forests. They rely on the bamboo for their diet, which means that they are generally restricted to it. As much as 77% of its dietary requirements comes from African alpine bamboo. In continuous forest they eat around 10 species, however in broken forests their choice of plants can be as much as 5 times higher – these populations can consume as little as 2% of their food from bamboo. It is unclear if this is as a result of the hybridisation or a natural adaption. It does mean that should an area of bamboo be destroyed, then unlike giant pandas they can simply start eating something else until the bamboo recovers. When they live near human settlements, they will also happily raid human crops.

In the past, fragmentation has lead to contact with vervet monkey and Grivet. While this is thought to be around a century ago, it has left traces on the genetic make-up of the animal.

Currently, it is only listed on CITES appendix 2, so it is not close to being extinct. However it is occasionally hunted, and if human behaviour was to change its population could fall very fast.

Below here, you will see a short video of this species, and below that is a list of any times where this blog mentions this species. Below that, is a list of any articles that mention this species (if any). 

Under this, we will list any links which might help you see this species in the wild. If you work in the ecotourism within its range, whether as a guide, or perhaps in hospitality, we are keen to list your services at the bottom of the page, so that anyone who shows interest in this species can instantly find the services listed to be able to book their travel to see them. It costs nothing, but should someone book, through this website, we take a small commission.

Green or Sabaeus monkey

Green or sabaeus monkey

Green or Sabeus Monkey

This monkey is found in many habitats ranging from the dry edge of the Sahel region up to the edge of the rainforest. It is also common along the coast, and is known in these areas to feed on crabs. It will also feast on fruits and even invertebrates. In west africa it is found from Senegal and the Gambia to the Volta river. It has been introduced to the Cape verde islands of Santiago and brava close to North Africa, around 350 years ago. It has also been introduced to West Indian islands of St Kitts, Nevis, St Martin and Barbados around 250 years ago, by slave ships on the way from west Africa. There is also a small colony which started from a zoo escape that lives in Florida (Broward County)

They are classed as least concern, so certainly at the moment, they are not facing extinction.

Grivet monkey

Grivet

There are people who suggest that the whole vervet family is essesntially one widely varied species, though most disagree with this stance. It is currently listed as least concern, and while hybridisation between this and the Bale vervet threatens the future survival of the Bale vervet, the grivet is too common for this to have a big impact at the time.

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