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Questions and Answers
What motivated researchers to closely observe and document Rakus's behavior after he sustained the injury?
What motivated researchers to closely observe and document Rakus's behavior after he sustained the injury?
- He began to display signs of aggression towards other orangutans, posing a threat to the group.
- He started consuming excessive amounts of fruits, deviating from his regular diet.
- He was observed consuming and applying a plant known for its medicinal properties, which is uncommon for Sumatran orangutans. (correct)
- He isolated himself from the group, exhibiting signs of depression.
What potential implication does the discovery of Rakus's behavior have on our understanding of animal behavior?
What potential implication does the discovery of Rakus's behavior have on our understanding of animal behavior?
- It indicates that animals may possess self-awareness and the ability to treat ailments using natural remedies, challenging previous assumptions. (correct)
- It confirms that animals are solely driven by competition and survival instincts.
- It suggests that animals have limited cognitive abilities and rely solely on instinct.
- It demonstrates that animals are incapable of learning from their environment.
What factors make Sumatran orangutan populations particularly vulnerable to decline?
What factors make Sumatran orangutan populations particularly vulnerable to decline?
- Their ability to adapt to various habitats, including urban environments.
- Their susceptibility to diseases caused by climate change and pollution.
- Their slow reproductive rate, combined with habitat loss and illegal hunting. (correct)
- Their high birth rate, with multiple offspring per birth.
What can be inferred from Rakus's behavior of resting more than usual after applying the medicinal plant to his wound?
What can be inferred from Rakus's behavior of resting more than usual after applying the medicinal plant to his wound?
If a similar behavior of treating wounds with medicinal plants were observed in another animal species, what broader impact might it have on conservation efforts?
If a similar behavior of treating wounds with medicinal plants were observed in another animal species, what broader impact might it have on conservation efforts?
How might the fragmentation of Sumatran rainforests into smaller, isolated patches affect the transmission of knowledge, such as medicinal plant use, among orangutan populations?
How might the fragmentation of Sumatran rainforests into smaller, isolated patches affect the transmission of knowledge, such as medicinal plant use, among orangutan populations?
Considering the information about Rakus's behavior and the threats faced by Sumatran orangutans, which conservation strategy would likely be most effective in the long term?
Considering the information about Rakus's behavior and the threats faced by Sumatran orangutans, which conservation strategy would likely be most effective in the long term?
Based on the study, how did Rakus adapt his behavior beyond applying the liana plant to promote healing?
Based on the study, how did Rakus adapt his behavior beyond applying the liana plant to promote healing?
Aside from direct habitat destruction, how does the conversion of rainforest into oil palm plantations indirectly threaten Sumatran orangutan populations?
Aside from direct habitat destruction, how does the conversion of rainforest into oil palm plantations indirectly threaten Sumatran orangutan populations?
Assuming liana plants have specific requirements to grow, what ecological implications could deforestation have on the availability of medicinal resources for orangutans and other species?
Assuming liana plants have specific requirements to grow, what ecological implications could deforestation have on the availability of medicinal resources for orangutans and other species?
Flashcards
Who is Rakus?
Who is Rakus?
A Sumatran orangutan who treated a cheek wound with a medicinal plant.
What is Liana?
What is Liana?
A tropical vine with healing properties used by Rakus to treat his wound.
What is Gunung Leuser National Park?
What is Gunung Leuser National Park?
The location where Rakus lives and was observed using the medicinal plant for wound treatment.
What is Scientific Reports?
What is Scientific Reports?
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What are Sumatran orangutans?
What are Sumatran orangutans?
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What are rainforest conversion and hunting?
What are rainforest conversion and hunting?
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What is approximately 14,600?
What is approximately 14,600?
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Study Notes
- Rakus, a Sumatran orangutan, treated a cheek wound using a medicinal plant.
- Rakus is estimated to be about 35 years old.
- Rakus lives in Gunung Leuser National Park, located in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
- The rainforest is a habitat for over 750 animal species, which includes 150 orangutans.
- Isabelle Laumer and her team at Max Planck Research noticed Rakus' wound on June 22, 2022.
- The wound was likely caused by a fight with another orangutan.
- On June 25, researchers observed Rakus chewing on the stems and leaves of a tropical vine called liana.
- Locals have acknowledged the plant for its healing properties.
- Scientists observed and documented Rakus' behavior because Sumatran orangutans rarely consume the plant.
- Rakus initially spent 13 minutes consuming the plant.
- Rakus then spent seven minutes chewing the leaves and rubbing the juice on his injury.
- Rakus covered the cut with leaves when flies began hovering around it.
- The wound closed within five days.
- By July 19, 2022, the wound was fully healed, leaving only a scar.
- This is the first known case of active wound treatment by a wild animal using a medicinal plant.
- Rakus returned to the plant the day after applying the juice to his wound to eat more leaves.
- Rakus rested more than usual to aid his body's healing.
- Sumatran orangutans are a critically endangered species, there are only about 14,600 left in the wild.
- Sumatran orangutans can only be found in the northern tip of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
- Their population has declined due to the conversion of rainforests into oil palm plantations and other agricultural development.
- Despite being protected, Sumatran orangutans are often captured for food or kept as status symbols.
- Female Sumatran orangutans give birth to one infant at a time every eight or nine years.
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