Elephants May Use Medicinal Plants To Treat Themselves, Study Finds

Researchers studying elephants in Kenya’s Mount Elgon region have identified 35 plant species consumed by the animals, 25 of which are locally recognized for medicinal properties.

Working with the Mount Elgon Foundation, researchers interviewed wildlife scouts and community elders, who described elephants appearing to select certain plants when they were unwell.

The findings add to evidence that self-medication may occur across a wide range of species.

However, researchers say more evidence is needed to determine whether elephants deliberately select specific plants to treat particular illnesses rather than consuming them for nutritional or other reasons.

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