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Elephants self-medicate with banana peels

Gail P Sherman
Jan 23, 2026
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Henk Bogaard/shutterstock.com

When elephants raid farms, they often eat the stems and leaves of banana and papaya plants while leaving the ruined fruit behind. Why destroy crops without eating the reward? Researchers think the animals may be using these farms as pharmacies, treating stomach ailments with plant waste.

A study recently published in Ecologic…

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Gail P Sherman
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