Chimps design and use tools. That is well-known. But is it possible that they also use medicines to treat their own and others’ injuries? A new report suggests they do.

Since 2005, researchers have been studying a community of 45 chimps in the Loango National Parkin Gabon, on the west coast of Africa. Over a period of 15 months, from November 2019 to February2021, the researchers saw 76 open wounds on 22 different chimps. In 19 instances they watched a chimp performing what looked like self-treatment of the wound using an insect as a salve.

The procedure was similar each time. First, the chimps caught a flying insect; then they immobilized it by squeezing it between their lips. They placed the insect on the wound, moving it around with their fingertips. Finally, they took the insect out, using either their mouths or their fingers. Often, they put the insect in the wound and took it out several times.

Aaron Sandel, an anthropologist at the University of Texas, Austin, found the work valuable, but at the same time expressed some doubts. “They don’t offer an alternative explanation for the behavior, and they make no connection to what insect it might be,” he said. “The jump to a potential medical function? That’s a stretch at this point.”

In some forms of ape social behavior, it is clear that there is an exchange of value. For example, grooming another chimp provides relief from parasites for the groomed animal, but also an insect snack for the groomer. But in the instances she observed, Dr. Pika said, the chimp gets nothing practical in return. To her, this shows the apes are engaging in an act that increases "the welfare of another being,” and teaches us more about the primates’ social relationships.

The Island Rule is one of the best explanations scientists could give to the observable phenomenon that animals and humans have evolved (演变) depending on the resources available in their habitat (栖息地). Through time, scientists have noticed through fossil (化石) records that some large animals from mainland habitats have dwarf (矮小的) versions in bland habitats.

A report from BBC described the existence of what scientists call “hobbit island” off a small island somewhere in Indonesia. It was given such a name because fossil records of tiny, humanlike creatures have been found in the region. What they called as “hobbits” or “Homo Floresiensis”, are only as tall as one meter and are small versions of early human species with tinier brains.

Though scientists cannot perfectly trace the origin of the “Homo Floriensis”, they believe that they are human relatives, but it is the “island life” that has caused them to evolve as they have. Scientists have noticed through fossil records and existing organisms (有机体) today that it seems if large animals grow small in islands while small animals grow large in larger islands.

In theory, animal and human bodies have adjusted to the available food and fresh water in their habitats. Since there is no opportunity for them to leave their island, they might as well adapt.

New York Magazine explained that islands usually have fewer predators (捕食者) than mainland ecosystems. However, it is the lack of resources that cause the death of many animals. As a means of natural adaptation, the bodies of these animals have evolved smaller than their ancestors, making their bodies require fewer resources.

A report from Web Ecoist listed down a few examples of animals that have shrunk significantly compared with their ancestors. Some of these include the Bali tiger as small as leopards (豹).

Animal conservation

Many animal and plant species have become extinct and many more are in critical danger.Finding ways to protect the earth's wildlife and conserve the natural world they inhabit(居住)is now more important than ever.

Dodos

The Dodo is a classic example of how human caused damage to the earth's biology.The flightless Dodo was native to the Island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.It   lived off fruit fallen from the island's trees and lived unthreatened until humans arrived in 1505.The easily controlled bird became a source of food for sailors and was attacked by animals introduced to the Island by humans such as pigs, monkeys and rats.The population of Dodos rapidly decreased and the last one was killed in 1681.

Rhinos

The Rhino(犀牛)horn is a highly prized item for Asian medicine.This has led to the animal being hunted in its natural habitat.Once widespread in Africa and Eurasia，most Rhinos now live   in protected natural parks and reserves(保护区)．Their numbers have rapidly decreased in the last 50 years，and the animals remain under constant threat from poachers(偷袭者)．

The Giant Panda

The future of the World Wildlife Fund's symbol is far from certain.As few as 1，600 pandas remain in the wild.The Chinese government has set up 33 panda reserves to protect these beautiful animals and made poaching them punishable with 20 years in prison.However，the panda's distinct black and white patched coat fetches a high price on the black market and determined poachers still pose(造成)one of the most serious threats to the animal's continued existence.

Whales

The International Whaling Commission is fighting to ensure the survival of the whale species.Despite the fact that one－third of the world's oceans have been declared the whale sanctuaries(保护区).7 out of 13 whale species remain endangered.Hunted for their rich supply of oil，their numbers have decreased to just 300.Collisions with ships，poisonous pollution and being caught in fishing nets are other major causes of whale deaths.

Tigers

The last 100 years has seen a 95% reduction in the numbers of remaining tigers to between 5，000 and 7，000 and The Bali，Javan，and Caspian tigers are already extinct.The South China tiger is precariously close to disappearing，with only 20 to 30 still alive.Like the Rhino horn，tigers' bones and organs are sought after for traditional Chinese medicines.These items are traded illegally along with tiger skins.