Chimpanzees observed treating wounds of fellow chimpanzees with crushed insects

In the coastal National park of Loango – Gabon, over the course of a study of a group of chimpanzees, 19 times chimpanzees were seen catching a spefic insect out of the air, chewing it, and then inserting it into injuries on wounded fellow members of the group.

Given the relative simplicity of the treatment, any chimpanzee can apply it, but this looks like the beginning of medical treatments

A number of insects seem to have a positive impacts when applied to skin, and it is thought that these insects have an anti inflammatory effect, allowing the injury to heal faster.

The injuries are almost always as a result of fights between different groups of chimpanzees.

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