IVORY COAST, Africa —Researchers observed a species of insect that has its very own first responders who treat their comrades after raids on termites.
The Guardian reported that African Matabele ants, which often become injured while launching raids on termites they hunt for food, are cared for by “paramedic” ants that clean their wounds, carry them home and maybe even administer antibiotics.
“What we show, for first time in the animal kingdom, is a proper treatment focused on a wound,” University of Wurzburg behavioral ecologist Erik Frank said. “We have anecdotal observations of wound care in other animals, but none that have been studied scientifically.”