Study Investigates How Elephant Mothers Use Plants to Care for Calves
Wendy Kaplar
3 hours ago
1 min read
Elephant mothers in Kenya may be using plants as medicine for their calves.
A recent study drew on the knowledge of eight members of the Sabaot Indigenous community near Mount Elgon and identified 35 plant species that elephants may use as medicine.
One Sabaot community wildlife scout described mothers chewing leaves and roots before giving the softened mixture to their calves with breast milk. The Sabaot people traditionally use one ingredient, known locally as "Angurweet," to treat stomachaches.
An African elephant mother and her calf. A study in Kenya explores whether elephants use certain plants to care for sick calves. Photo:Hu Chen / Unsplash
Other accounts linked aloe plants to improving calves’ appetites and several Dombeya species to digestive problems. Reports indicate that lethargic elephants were also observed consuming Kuloa usambarensis.
Researchers identified eight plant species that sick elephants reportedly sought out or that mothers provided to their calves.
Scientists still do not know whether the plants help sick elephants or why the animals choose them.
