Licking their wounds: Social response to trauma by free-ranging bison (Bison bison)

Abstract

The epidermis of wild mammals is occasionally lacerated or punctured and wound care behaviours evolved to keep animals healthy in nature. Communal wound licking may promote healing of affected sites, relieve stress after a traumatic experience, and reinforce social bonds among individuals. Yet, there are few reported cases of communal wound licking in free-ranging mammals. We report observations of communal wound licking in a social ungulate—free-ranging bison (Bison bison). Two adult female bison presented with minor open puncture wounds after we chemically immobilized each of them with a dart fired from a rifle. The day after being darted, we observed three different adult bison lick the wounds of the two wounded bison. Both bison were <3 m of each other during this time and all of the observed wound licking occurred in <10 min. Our observation provides an additional example of communal wound licking in free-ranging mammals and extends it to a social ungulate. Benefits to bison of communal wound licking are perhaps largely social. However, targeted research is needed to better understand both the frequency and cost and benefits of communal wound licking.