an upcoming article in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Chimps using herbal
medicines:

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Article in Press, Corrected Proof

Ethnomedicinal and bioactive properties of plants ingested by wild chimpanzees
in Uganda

Sabrina Kriefa, Claude Marcel Hladika, and Claudie Haxaire

Abstract

Wild chimpanzees eat several plant species claimed by traditional healers to
cure diseases. However, the behaviour leading apes to ingest these peculiar
species is not clearly understood. Some of the items consumed by chimpanzees
have low nutritional value, and there is a growing body of evidence suggesting
that health might be improved or regulated by such ingestion. Observations
concerning the diet and the health condition of wild chimpanzees (Pan
troglodytes schweinfurthii) in the Kibale National Park (Uganda) are discussed
in relation to the ethnomedicinal utilization of plant species reviewed in
literature. Among the 163 plant parts known to be eaten by these chimpanzees,
at least 35 (21.4%) are used in traditional medicine as treatments for
intestinal parasites, skin infections, reproduction and respiratory diseases.
Relationships with pharmacological properties are presented, taking into
account the difficulties of interpreting ethnomedicinal data. In conclusion, a
greater knowledge of ape's behaviour and health may provide a new complementary
method to select plants for biomedical research.

Keywords: Zoopharmacognosy; Ethnomedicine; Ethnoveterinary medicine; Pan
troglodytes; Apes diet; Uganda

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4G7GFJ6-2&_user=10&_handle=V-WA-A-W-VB-MsSAYWA-UUA-U-AAAEEBCBYA-AAADCAZAYA-ABECYYBAW-VB-U&_fmt=summary&_coverDate=05%2F23%2F2005&_rdoc=8&_orig=browse&_srch=%23toc%235084%239999%23999999999%2399999!&_cdi=5084&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e24d47acbf6d9e1470edd3572c3b44db

Tom Billings