Chimps perform their first aid in life.

Scientists have long known that chimpanzees sometimes use leaves or insects as medicine. Now, researchers studying chimpanzees in Uganda have discovered that the animals will sometimes provide “first aid” to each other. This suggests that chimpanzees may be able to think about how to help others, as well as themselves.

Chimpanzees are one of the animal species most closely related to humans. Because of this, researchers have carefully studied the lives of chimpanzees in many different ways. how chimpanzees care for themselves when they are sick or hurt.

In 2021, Dr. Elodie Freymann went to Uganda to study the chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest. She was interested in learning more about . Like plants, leaves, and insects. Dr. Freymann had already done work investigating how chimps eat certain plants, using them as medicine.