Biologists in India recently recorded an Asian elephant in Nagarahole National Park and Tiger Reserve in Karnataka blowing out puffs of what appears to be smoke. The elephant appears to pick up and stuff chunks of charcoal into her mouth before exhaling a plume of ‘smoke’. Charcoal is readily available after forest fires, lightning strikes or controlled burns. According to Dr.. Varun R Goswami, a scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) India, the elephant may have been eating charcoal as a form of natural medicine, as charcoal is known for its ability to bind with toxins and also works as a laxative. Such animal self medication using natural materials is called ‘zoopharmacognosy’. According to WCS, charcoal may benefit animals by providing medicinal values. It can also act as a laxative, thus doubling its utility for animals that consume it. The charcoal in the wild is usually formed after forest fires, lightning strikes or controlled burns. According to a press statement from the WCS, researchers aren’t sure exactly what the elephant is doing, but it’s probably not just fooling around. Charcoal is known for its ability to bind with toxins and works as a laxative. So eating the charcoal may serve as a sort of wildlife medicine for the elephant. Charcoal is readily available in most places after forest fires or lightning strikes.
Picture Credit : Google
