Chimpanzees in Uganda were found treating the injuries of other, unrelated chimps, including those caught in hunting snares.<\/p>\n
The finding comes from the Budongo Forest, where researchers followed two groups of chimpanzees for several months, watching as the chimps treated wounds caused by fights, accidents, or snares.<\/p>\n
In one group, 40 percent of the chimps had been injured by snares, including several who appeared to have been permanently disabled as a result.<\/p>\n
On seven separate occasions, researchers recorded chimps ministering to each other by helping to remove snares, clean wounds, or apply medicinal leaves.<\/p>\n
In four cases, the chimps were not related. Scientists say the persistent risk of getting caught in snares may have prompted some chimps to learn to care for others.<\/p>\n
While chimpanzees have previously been found applying medical care, the practice has rarely been recorded in the wild.<\/p>\n
The new research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, suggests mutual care is more widespread than was thought.<\/p>\n