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From 2000 onward IEZ is conducting research into the consumption of medicinal
herbs by the herds (cattle and horses) that are free ranging in nature reserves
in the Netherlands.
PDF SUMMARY 2006 HAS Report .
A pilot study into the spontaneous use of medicinal plants by woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha) in a Dutch Zoo.
Abstract Research 1996 report (in Dutch, English summary) by drs. A.G.M. van Asseldonk and drs. A.G. de Haas, published by IEZ, Beek/Ubbergen, 1997. ISBN 90-76073-02-3. (NB research report only available in Dutch).
--------- This study was started
after several articles in non-scientific journals had been discussing the knowledge the woolly monkeys in the Apenheul Zoo (Holland) seem to have about the medicinal herbs that were planted or spontaneously growing in their outdoor enclosure. In this enclosure a group of about 20 woolly monkeys (females, infants and juveniles) was free ranging (and mixing with visitors) during the daytime. At first an inventory of the vegetation was made, determining plant species and availability. We also investigated the activity pattern in relation to foraging behaviour to determine suitable observation periods. We conducted our study at ten predetermined days, each day during three observation periods, observing 8 individuals by focal animal sampling (8 observers). Although the woolly monkeys in Apenheul, compared to their original habitat, have to deal with a complete different vegetation (temperate deciduous pine forest), where food is provided on the ground, they still maintain part of their natural foraging behaviour in the trees. In contrast to their wild congeners, however, they have also developed ground-foraging strategies. The observations suggested selective feeding behaviour. Certain plant species, like Berberis spp., Quercus spp. and gras spp. were eaten by all individuals, possible in relation to their nutritional value or for preventive medicinal use (there were no sick individuals in the group we studied). Other species were eaten incidental. For all plant species differences between individuals and between subsequent days were considerable and difficult to relate to (health or other) conditional factors. Most of the observed individuals were highly motivated to forage for animal prey, such as insects and spiders. Also very often geophagy (consumption of soil, sand, gravel and even cement) was observed.
ADDITIONAL REMARKS Summer 1997 additional observational studies have been carried out with similar results. In both years it was striking that on cold/wet days, when foraging in general decreased, the consumption of nettles (Urtica sp.) increased. An experimental design for a follow-up study has been prepared, but it could not be performed because of a big change in the enclosure situation of the woolly monkeys. Orientating observational studies are now ongoing with Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) both in Apenheul and in the French "Vallee des Singes". (c) Institute for Ethnobotany and Zoopharmacognosy, 2001.
Rijksstraatweg 158, 6573 DG Beek/Ubbergen. Tel. ++31.24.6841806. Fax ++31.24.6844301. Email:
asseld@telebyte.nl
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