In Kenya, elephants use medicinal plants to treat themselves

Researchers have highlighted that African elephants use dozens of medicinal plants to treat themselves and care for their young. According to BBC Afrique, this study was carried out in the Mount Elgon region of Kenya, in collaboration with the Mount Elgon Foundation and local populations, including forest rangers and elders.

Scientists identified 35 plant species consumed by these animals, 25 of which are locally recognized for their therapeutic properties. Testimonies report that female elephants prepare mixtures based on leaves and roots, such as the plant known as Angurweet, to soothe their calves' stomach aches.

Professor Michael Huffman, a primatologist, describes these accounts as fascinating, although further evidence is needed to confirm a practice of personalized care. To continue this research, scientists have equipped local experts with cameras to observe these behaviors and analyze the biological activity of the plants selected by the elephants.

Dr. Elodie Freymann, from Brown University, emphasizes that this work highlights the close link between animal health and natural resources. The destruction of forest habitats not only threatens wildlife but also deprives humanity of precious sources of medicine, many of which are already derived from natural compounds found in biodiversity.

Our perspective

This discovery underscores the invaluable richness of African biodiversity and the intelligence of the species that inhabit it. By protecting our forests, Africans are preserving not only their natural heritage but also ancestral knowledge and future medical resources. This interdependence reinforces the urgency of sovereign and sustainable management of our ecosystems for future generations.