Wild Chimpanzees Are Performing First Aid — And Humans Could Learn a Thing or Two

If you thought first aid was just for humans, think again. Researchers in Uganda’s Budongo Forest have been shocked to see wild chimpanzees performing what can only be described as first-aid on themselves — and each other.

The study, conducted across two chimpanzee communities, Sonso and Waibira, documented 41 cases of wound care. Chimpanzees were seen licking injuries, pressing on wounds with their fingers, and even applying chewed leaves from plants with natural medicinal properties — all in an effort to clean and treat cuts and scrapes. Remarkably, they performed these behaviors on unrelated individuals, taking a risk to help someone outside their family group.

Dr Elodie Freymann from the University of Oxford, who co-led the research, said, “We recorded everything from direct wound licking to leaf-dabbing and chewing plants onto injuries. All the chimps we observed showed signs of recovery, which is incredible.”

Hygiene care wasn’t limited to injuries. Chimps were also seen cleaning after mating or defecation, using leaves to prevent infection — proving that even in the wild, a little TLC goes a long way.

Why Humans Should Pay Attention

For humans, this isn’t just a cute animal story — it’s a reminder that knowing basic first aid is essential. James Macy, a Brisbane-based trainer from My First Aid Course, says the lesson is simple: “If a chimpanzee can figure out how to treat a wound and care for its mates, I’m pretty sure humans can manage a first-aid kit too! Seriously, even a monkey can learn something, I’m sure you can too.”

Macy emphasizes that a first-aid kit is only as good as the person using it. “Knowing how to clean a cut, stop bleeding, or even perform CPR can make the difference between a minor incident and a life-or-death situation,” he says.

Experts recommend having a first-aid kit in every home, workplace, and car, and encourage regular training to keep skills sharp. Organizations like My First Aid Course provide hands-on workshops to help Australians feel confident and ready for emergencies.

A Wild Reminder

The Budongo chimpanzees’ care for each other — whether treating wounds or practicing hygiene — is a striking example of the instinct to help those in need. For humans, it’s a reminder that preparation, knowledge, and a little courage can save lives. So maybe it’s time to check your first-aid kit and brush up on your skills — because if a chimpanzee can do it in the middle of a Ugandan forest, there’s no excuse not to be ready in your own backyard.

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Wild Chimpanzees Are Doing First Aid — Humans, Take Note

Forget medical school — some of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom are already nailing the basics. Researchers in Uganda’s Budongo Forest have caught wild chimpanzees performing full-on first-aid on themselves and each other, and honestly, humans could take a few lessons.

The study, conducted across two communities, Sonso and Waibira, observed 41 cases of wound care. Chimps were seen licking injuries, pressing on cuts, and applying chewed leaves from plants with natural medicinal properties. And get this — they helped not just their family, but complete strangers in the troop. That’s some next-level altruism.

Dr Elodie Freymann from the University of Oxford said, “We recorded everything from direct wound licking to leaf-dabbing and chewing plants onto injuries. All the chimps we observed showed signs of recovery, which is incredible.”

These primates aren’t just treating battle wounds, either. Hygiene is serious business: they clean themselves after mating and wipe down after using the bathroom — using leaves, naturally. Even in the wild, apparently, cleanliness is next to godliness.

Humans, Take Note

For those of us who stumble over band-aids, this is a gentle wake-up call. James Macy, a Brisbane-based trainer from My First Aid Course, sums it up perfectly: “If a chimpanzee in the middle of the Ugandan forest can figure out how to treat a mate’s cut with leaves and saliva, I’m pretty sure humans can handle a first-aid kit. Seriously, even a monkey can learn something — I’m sure you can too!”

Macy stresses that a first-aid kit is only useful if you actually know what to do with it. “Basic skills like cleaning a wound, stopping bleeding, or performing CPR can mean the difference between a drama and a disaster,” he says.

Experts recommend having a fully stocked first-aid kit at home, in the car, and at work. Regular training helps ensure that when something goes wrong — whether it’s a scraped knee or a more serious emergency — you can act fast and smart.

Wild Wisdom

The Budongo chimps’ care for each other — whether tending wounds or keeping clean — is a cheeky but powerful reminder: humans could learn a thing or two about looking after one another. So maybe dust off that first-aid kit, brush up on your skills, and take a leaf out of the chimp playbook. Literally.

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