An ailing elephant is seen consuming the bark of a tree commonly used in traditional medicine. A mother elephant combines a plant with recognized medicinal properties into her milk, which she then feeds to her offspring.
These anecdotes have been compiled by researchers from reports provided by local wildlife observers and residents in the Mount Elgon area of Kenya.
“I’m no longer taken aback by these revelations,” remarked Elodie Freymann, an expert in animal self-medication, during a conversation with As It Happens guest host Helen Mann.
“Given the intelligence and intricate social structures of elephants, it was only a matter of time before we uncovered the extensive array of medicinal plants being utilized by elephants in their natural habitat.”
Freymann co-authored a recent study, published in the journal Nature on Thursday, which leveraged local insights to document numerous medicinal plants employed by elephants in Mount Elgon.
The researchers argue that this study contributes to the growing body of evidence showcasing the complexity and intelligence of elephants, underscoring the necessity of safeguarding the biodiversity crucial to their existence.
Nonetheless, scientists advise that further investigation is required to definitively confirm whether elephants are engaging in self-medication.
Utilizing Indigenous Knowledge
The findings stem from interviews with eight members of the Sabaot community who have interacted with elephants for many years, including wildlife observers, community guides, and village elders.
In some instances, they recount observations of elephants that appear debilitated, fatigued, or experiencing stomach issues seeking out specific plants with established use in local medicine. In other cases, they describe mother elephants administering recognized medicinal plants to their offspring.
Out of the 35 plants mentioned in the interviews, 34 are commonly used in traditional medicine locally. Eight of the nine most frequently referenced plants have been scientifically documented to possess pharmacological properties.
“We went straight to the source, engaging with individuals who have coexisted with these elephant populations for extensive periods,” stated Freymann, a post-doctoral researcher at Brown University in Rhode Island.
“For a long time, Western science has not adequately valued these local perspectives, and it’s time we rectified that.”
Further Corroboration Needed
Chase LaDue, an elephant ecologist unaffiliated with the study, commended it as a promising starting point for future investigations but cautioned that it does not conclusively prove that elephants are intentionally self-medicating themselves or their offspring.
“There is no health data indicating that any of these elephants were actually ill, and no assessments were made to determine if consuming these plants had any impact,” mentioned LaDue, a curator at the Oklahoma City Zoo and the executive director of the Sri Lanka Elephant Project
