This is how chimpanzees care for each other

Both wounds, licking them and applying poultices of medicinal plants. Both simple grooming of the fur

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Easter Eggs98
Chimpanzees exhibit behaviors of mutual care, which include both emergency room cases and grooming (called grooming) and small gestures of help or consolation between individuals. This mutual care, which indicates a very high level of relationship, begins at the bottom, with all the personal hygiene routines: chimpanzees groom each other by removing dirt, parasites, or debris from their fur, and this habit strengthens their bonds, reduces tension, and helps create real alliances. Then there is a second level, of total empathy, which involves small gestures of mutual help and consolation. For example:
  • Touch or hug: to approach and gently hug another individual after an argument.
  • Body scrubbing or targeted grooming: clean the fur of someone who is agitated or injured.
  • Caresses on the face or head: a very delicate gesture that calms the other.
  • Position yourself close to the other without physical contact: reassuring closeness reduces anxiety.
  • Quiet vocal behaviors: soft sounds or “grunts” that serve to calm.
At the third level, actual care is provided, especially when a chimpanzee is injured in a poacher's trap. At that point, a very comprehensive medical protocol is implemented.
We start by cleaning the wound: 
  • They use their hands to remove dirt, soil or debris from the wound.
  • Sometimes they use small branches or leaves to reach difficult spots, almost like primitive tools.
  • This not only helps prevent infections, but also allows the recipient to trust your partner.

Then the wound is licked to further eliminate bacteria:

  • Chimpanzees sometimes they lick each other's wounds, which may have a natural antiseptic effect (similar to that observed in other primates).
  • It's not as perfect as a human medicine, but it can help reduce surface bacteria.

And at that point they apply pulps of medicinal plants, traditionally used by chimpanzees for their healing.

  • While healing the wound, chimpanzees often they stay close, hugging or touching each other gentlyand this serves to calm the victim's stress and strengthen the social bond.

Through it study by Elodie Freymann, from the University of Oxford, we have discovered very interesting things about how chimpanzees  they take care of the other members of the groupThis behavior is not just about kinship: chimpanzees recognize suffering and needs in others and act to alleviate them, even when there is no direct genetic advantage, and this makes them highly evolved and capable of resisting human violence.

Cover photo from Canva

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