Scientists have discovered that wild chimpanzees in Uganda eat plants with pain-relieving and anti-bacterial properties to heal themselves. The researchers observed injured or sick chimpanzees in the forests and collected samples of the plants they sought out to eat. These plants were then analyzed and found to have antibacterial properties. The scientists believe that studying the medicinal properties of these plants could lead to the discovery of new medicines. Lead researcher Dr. Elodie Freymann from the University of Oxford spent four years observing chimpanzees in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve and collected samples of droppings and urine to check for illness and infection. The researchers paid special attention when injured or ill chimpanzees sought out unusual foods, such as tree bark or fruit skin, as these could be potential medicinal plants. One injured chimpanzee in particular was observed seeking out and eating ferns, which were found to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. In total, the researchers collected 17 samples from 13 different plant species and found that almost 90% of the extracts inhibited bacterial growth and a third had natural anti-inflammatory properties. All of the injured and ill chimpanzees in the study fully recovered. The researchers emphasize the importance of preserving these "forest pharmacies" for future generations.

Original news source: Chimpanzees ‘self-medicate’ with healing plants (BBC)

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Provide each group with a copy of the article. Instruct the groups to read the article and then work together to create a concise summary of the main points. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Instruct each pair to discuss their opinions on the following question: "Do you think studying the medicinal properties of plants eaten by chimpanzees could lead to the discovery of new medicines for humans?" After discussing their opinions, have each pair conduct a mini opinion poll by asking other pairs in the class for their opinions. Instruct them to tally the results and then share the overall class opinion with the rest of the class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into two teams. Call up one student from each team and show them a vocabulary word. Instruct them to draw a quick sketch of the word on the board while their team tries to guess what it is. The first team to guess correctly earns a point. Continue until all the words have been drawn and guessed. The team with the most points at the end wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Instruct each group to discuss the pros and cons of studying the medicinal properties of plants eaten by chimpanzees. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their thoughts with the class. Encourage a class discussion to explore the different perspectives and ideas.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct each student to write down three predictions about the future impact of studying the medicinal properties of plants eaten by chimpanzees. After they have written their predictions, have them pair up and share their predictions with each other. Encourage them to discuss their reasoning behind each prediction. Finally, have a few students share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class discussion about the potential future impact.

Scientists have ? that wild chimpanzees in Uganda eat ? with pain-relieving and anti-bacterial properties to heal themselves. The ? observed injured or sick chimpanzees in the ? and collected samples of the plants they sought out to eat. These plants were then analyzed and found to have antibacterial properties. The scientists believe that studying the ? properties of these plants could lead to the discovery of new medicines. Lead researcher Dr. Elodie Freymann from the University of Oxford spent four ? observing ? in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve and ? samples of droppings and urine to check for illness and infection. The researchers paid special attention when ? or ill chimpanzees ? out unusual foods, such as tree bark or ? skin, as these could be potential medicinal plants. One injured chimpanzee in particular was observed seeking out and eating ferns, which were found to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. In ?, the researchers collected 17 ? from 13 different plant species and found that almost 90% of the ? inhibited bacterial growth and a third had ? anti-inflammatory ?. All of the injured and ill chimpanzees in the study fully recovered. The researchers emphasize the importance of preserving these "forest pharmacies" for future generations.

1. What is your opinion on the idea that wild chimpanzees can use plants to heal themselves?
2. How would you feel if you discovered that plants in your local area had medicinal properties?
3. Do you think it is important for humans to study the medicinal properties of plants?
4. Why or why not?
5. Have you ever used natural remedies or alternative medicine to heal yourself? If so, what was your experience?
6. What do you think are the advantages of using natural remedies instead of pharmaceutical drugs?
7. Do you believe that traditional medicine and modern medicine can coexist? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the discovery of new medicines from studying chimpanzees could benefit humans?
9. What is your opinion on the idea of preserving "forest pharmacies" for future generations?
10. Have you ever encountered any traditional remedies or practices from your own culture? If so, what are they and do you believe in their effectiveness?
11. How would you feel if you were able to contribute to the discovery of a new medicine?
12. Do you think it is ethical for scientists to study animals in order to benefit humans? Why or why not?
13. How would you feel if you were able to witness chimpanzees using plants to heal themselves in person?
14. Do you think it is important for humans to learn from animals? Why or why not?
15. Have you ever had a personal experience with a plant or natural remedy that had healing properties? If so, what was it and how did it help you?

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