Story perspectives

Kenyan elephants self-medicate calves with medicinal plants

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 6:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kenyan elephants prepare measured mixtures of medicinal plants and feed them to their calves.
Dr Fabien Schultz's team at Hamburg's Bernard Nocht Institute documented the behavior.
Elephants used at least 35 plant species and four soil or clay types for treatment.
The practice is the first known non-human species to create and administer medicine.
Researchers warn habitat loss could block elephants’ access to vital medicinal resources.

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Story summary

Kenyan elephants prepare measured mixtures of medicinal plants and feed them to their calves.
Dr Fabien Schultz's team at Hamburg's Bernard Nocht Institute documented the behavior.
Elephants used at least 35 plant species and four soil or clay types for treatment.
The practice is the first known non-human species to create and administer medicine.
Researchers warn habitat loss could block elephants’ access to vital medicinal resources.