Eating bark to induce labor: elephant

1 of 1 African Elephant / Hans Hillewa.. / License

Elephants may induce labor by eating the bark of the red seringa tree.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Reproduction or growth

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Reproductive drugs.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"One of the most extraordinary recent case histories featuring what would seem to be a bona fide example of an animal herbalist concerned a pregnant female elephant in Kenya's Tsavo Park. After spending almost a year observing the unchanging daily feeding ritual of this particular animal, ecologist H. [Holly] T. Dublin was puzzled one day when the elephant wandered much farther afield than usual, not feeding until she came upon a small tree belonging to a species related to borage that she had never been seen by Dublin to include in her diet before. Watched by Dublin, the elephant almost entirely devoured the tree, until only its stump remained…Four days later, she gave birth to a healthy calf, and investigations by Dublin revealed that tea made from the leaves and bark of this particular species of tree seemed to induce uterine contractions, since it was often drunk by Kenyan women specifically to induce labor or abortion." (Shuker 2001:218)

About the inspiring organism

Loxodonta
Loxodonta

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Reproductive drugs.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Medical

Experts

African Elephant Specialist Group
Holly T. Hunter
IUCN Species Survival Commission

References

Shuker, KPN. 2001. The Hidden Powers of Animals: Uncovering the Secrets of Nature. London: Marshall Editions Ltd. 240 p.

Eating bark to induce labor: elephant

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