Elodie Freymann

As a primatologist studying wild chimpanzee self-medication in Uganda’s Budongo Forest, I’ve discovered several plant species with previously unknown medicinal properties. My research combines rigorous methods – behavioral observation, health monitoring, and pharmacological analysis – to validate what local communities have long known: these forests are living pharmacies. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties we’ve identified in certain tree species, used by both chimpanzees and local healers, demonstrate the urgent importance of preserving these habitats.

Through ethnobotanical interviews with local healers, I learned how these same medicinal trees serve as crucial healthcare resources for communities who cannot afford hospital visits. My findings directly support forest conservation while highlighting the vital importance of traditional knowledge in scientific discovery.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored our vulnerability to emerging pathogens and drug-resistant diseases. My work reveals how protecting chimpanzee habitats safeguards not just endangered species, but potentially life-saving medicines that could help address future health crises.

By merging anthropology with natural sciences, I reveal how humans and chimpanzees share knowledge of the forest’s medicinal properties. This interrelatedness extends beyond sharing remedies – it shows how traditional human knowledge, animal behavior, and modern science can validate and inform each other. I aim to reshape perceptions of how scientific knowledge is created. I highlight the crucial role of local experts who hold generations of forest wisdom, challenging historical Western-centric views of the natural sciences. The most valuable insights come from understanding both the cultural and natural dimensions of our research sites. 

To highlight how primatology intersects with botany, pharmacology, and anthropology, I create documentary films that transport viewers into these threatened forests. By showcasing both urgent conservation needs and the essential role of local field staff in research, my work demonstrates how protecting these remarkable forest pharmacies is crucial for the survival of both wildlife and human communities.