Orangutan uses plant as medicine
Listen to the story (American accent)
An orangutan named Rakus used a plant to fix a big cut on his face. This is the first time researchers saw a wild animal use a plant like medicine.
In June 2022, researchers in Indonesia saw Rakus had a big cut on his face. They think he got hurt in a fight with other monkeys.
Later, they saw Rakus eating a plant called Akar Kuning. This plant is used to help sick people.
After chewing the plant, he put some of it on his face for seven minutes. Then, he put the chewed leaves on his cut.
The plant seemed to help. Five days later there was no infection, and the cut was closed. After a month, Rakus was all better.
The researchers think Rakus knew he was using medicine because monkeys rarely eat this plant. They also saw Rakus resting a lot, so maybe he was trying to get better from his injury.
Maybe Rakus learned to use medicine from watching other monkeys.
Vocabulary14 words
- Orangutan
- A type of big ape with red-brown hair that lives in forests
- Plant
- ?; a living thing that grows in the ground, like a tree or a flower
- Cut
- a tear or slice in someone's skin;
- Researcher
- a person who does research; a person who studies something to find new results
- Wild
- Living in a natural state, not kept or controlled by humans; Not in a zoo or someone's home, where animals live freely
- Medicine
- something, usually a liquid or a pill, that helps illness or injury; a pill, injection or liquid that helps you when you are sick
- Fight
- When two or more people or animals hit or hurt each other;
- Monkey
- ?; an animal with a tale that can climb trees; related to apes and humans
- Chew
- To use your teeth to break up food in your mouth; you “chew” chewing gum
- Leaf (leaves)
- ? ?
- Infection
- a sickness or disease caused by germs;
- Rarely
- not often; seldom; less than “sometimes”
- Rest
- To stop doing work or activity and to relax, sleep, or recover strength;
- Injury
- wound; damage to the body; broken body part
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
An orangutan _____ Rakus used a plant to fix a big cut on his _____. This is the first time researchers saw a wild animal use a plant _____ medicine.
In June 2022, researchers in Indonesia _____ Rakus had a big cut on his face. They think he got _____ in a fight with other monkeys.
Later, they _____ Rakus eating a plant called Akar Kuning. This plant is used to _____ sick people.
After chewing the plant, _____ put some of it on his face for seven minutes. Then, he put the _____ leaves on his cut.
The _____ seemed to help. Five days later there was no infection, and the cut was _____. After a month, Rakus was all better.
The _____ think Rakus knew he was using medicine because _____ rarely eat this plant. They also saw Rakus resting a lot, so maybe he was trying to _____ better from his injury.
Maybe Rakus learned to use medicine _____ watching other monkeys.
Discussion questions
- Do you think we fully understand animals?
- Do you think other animals besides orangutans might use plants as medicine? Why or why not?
- The scientists think Rakus learned from other monkeys. Do you think animals can teach each other things? What are some things you think animals might teach each other?
- Do you think animals can be smart like people? Why or why not?
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