When Some Elephants Raid Farms, They Might Not Be After a Snack. They Could Be Looking for Medicinal Plants
NeutralScience
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- A recent study indicates that elephants may raid farms not merely for food, but in search of medicinal plants, specifically parts of bananas and papayas, when afflicted by gut parasites. This behavior suggests a complex understanding of their environment and potential self-medication practices among these large mammals.
- The implications of this finding are significant as it highlights a cross-species exchange of pharmaceutical knowledge, raising questions about animal behavior and the ecological roles of plants in the health of wildlife, potentially influencing conservation strategies.
— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System