大象闖農田為自療
January 16, 2026
加彭一項研究發現，非洲森林象闖入當地農田並非為了覓食，而是為了尋找藥用植物。這些大象的糞便樣本顯示，牠們腸道內有寄生蟲，並試圖食用含有藥用成分的植物，例如農田裡的香蕉莖和木瓜葉。為了減少人類與大象的衝突，保育工作者希望能找到方法為大象提供如礦物鹽等替代物，減少大象破壞農作物的機會。
A study in Gabon suggests that African forest elephants raid local farms not for food, but to seek out medicinal plants. Analysis of their dung shows they are suffering from gut parasites and may be trying to consume plants with healing properties, such as banana stems and papaya leaves found in farmland. To reduce human–elephant conflict, conservationists hope to provide alternative medicinal resources, such as mineral salts, so the elephants are less likely to damage farmers’ crops.
