The Great Apes

[Tshokwane]

Credits to Daryl Balfour.

This shot shows the huge silverback Guhonda of the famous Sabyinyo Group feeding on eucalyptus bark and epidermis...with an infant down below following dad's example! Of special interest, this is "learned adaptive feeding"...eucalyptus have only been planted here over the past 120-100 years, but the gorillas actively seek it out to treat respiratory or chest problems, a perfect example of how the Great Apes self-medicate. Self medication by these intelligent primates, plus chimpanzees, bonobos and lowland gorillas, is the subject of intensive research by the Kyoto University in Japan. Who knows...the apes could lead us to discover cures for diseases we still have no treatments for! 

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply