Imagine being stranded in the wild, injured, and unable to obtain modern medical care. What would you do? While most humans wouldn’t have the first idea as to how to help themselves aside from pressing a few buttons on a phone, animals have the natural ability to heal many ailments using their inherent knowledge of the plants and minerals found in their environment. Many animals actively seek out these substances to actively address their imbalances.
This fascinating phenomena, known as self-selection, has intrigued both scientists and animal lovers alike. The Captive Animal Enrichment Project (CAEP) specialises in this field by bringing much-needed plant compounds and minerals to captive animals. In captivity, most animals don’t have access to these vital natural resources, CAEP exists to give them a helping hand.
CAEP is a South African start-up non-profit that addresses and promotes animal wellbeing through applied zoopharmacognosy – the study of how animals self-medicate by choosing and utilising natural remedies present in their surroundings, and facilitating sessions where they can do so. Our goal is to improve the well-being of captive animals by understanding and harnessing their natural instincts and providing opportunities for them to choose what they need in order to restore balance and heal themselves.
What is self-selection?
Self-selection refers to an animal’s hard wired behaviour to seek out certain medicinal compounds and minerals to treat its health conditions. This phenomenon is a survival mechanism that has evolved over millions of years, allowing animals to live in synergy with and benefit from the healing capabilities of their surroundings.
Animals have evolved complex survival systems over time. Self-selection is a unique behavioural adaptation that allows animals to maintain their health without the need for outside assistance. Animals can prevent and treat diseases, reduce inflammation, eradicate parasites, help to ease fears and emotional suffering and even reduce stress by choosing specific substances.
This phenomenon can be readily observed in the wild. For example, chimpanzees have been recorded consuming certain plants to eliminate parasites from their digestive tracts. Elephants, with their amazing sense of smell, actively seek out specific tree bark to relieve pain or heal diseases. Birds line their nests with medicinal plants to keep parasites away and their young healthy.
How this relates to zoopharmacognosy
Zoopharmacognosy is the study of how animals go about self-selecting what they need to ease imbalances within themselves. This intriguing topic investigates how animals automatically recognise and select appropriate remedies in nature to meet their health needs. Over the years, scientists have performed substantial research to better grasp the complexities of zoopharmacognosy, but far more is needed. Think of how many people it would take to watch just one free-roaming wild animal, understand everything they choose to ingest and record the effects. It isn’t an easy job which explains the shortfall in research.
Since the 1980s, researchers have identified several plant compounds and investigated their efficacy in treating distinct known disorders. According to studies, certain animals can distinguish between therapeutic plants based on their chemical composition. This level of expertise in self-medication demonstrates the intelligence and adaptability of animals.
Animals in captivity face specific challenges that can have an impact on their overall health. However, by incorporating zoopharmacognosy principles, the CAEP can expose captive animals to natural foraging behaviours and known plant materials, providing them the opportunity to heal themselves in an instinctive way, and giving appropriate respect to their innate wisdom. This not only boosts general wellness but also helps to minimise the stress and behavioural concerns typical within captive animal environments.
The benefits to animals in captivity
Animals in captivity are more prone to health and mental issues due to a variety of circumstances, including restricted enrichment opportunities and stress. By bringing self-selection opportunities, the CAEP gives animals more autonomy and choice over their own wellbeing. This not only improves their general health, but it also helps them feel better mentally and emotionally, helping them to adapt to unnatural living environments.
We understand the value of zoopharmacognosy in fostering healing and enrichment for captive animals. By curating a variety of specially selected natural compounds that resemble the plants and minerals found in animals’ natural environments, we empower animals to actively self-select what they need, .
Ethical considerations
As we investigate self-selection and its implementation in captivity, ethical concerns emerge. It is critical to ensure that animals have a choice and are not pressured into utilising certain materials. Self-selection procedures should be implemented with painstaking care, constantly prioritising the animals’ welfare and autonomy, only qualified volunteers work first hand with these animals.
Zoopharmacognosy has the potential to significantly improve animal wellbeing. With continual research and understanding, we can better customise enrichment programmes to address the specific needs of captive animals. By expanding our understanding of self-selection, we may improve animal welfare efforts through responsible and ethical approaches.
To fully realise the potential of zoopharmacognosy in animal welfare, ongoing research and education are required. By investing in scientific research, sharing knowledge, and training specialists in the field, we can assure that more captive animals benefit from the practice of zoopharmacognosy. Ethical and responsible procedures will remain critical as we work to improve the wellbeing of animals in human care.
Non-profit organisations such as the CAEP use self-selection to empower animals to take control of their health. The CAEP needs your support. Let us strive together to create a peaceful cohabitation with animals and a safer, kinder world for every organism. Please contact us today if you’d like to donate or get involved.
