'Fascinating': IFS officer's video featuring lion relishing greens has the internet's attention

Everything in nature works in a harmonious balance with each other. Such a well-established ecological balance creates a conducive environment for organisms to multiply and thrive. Talking about that, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), several animals share the common trait of ‘zoopharmacognosy’ or self-medication. As per the process, certain wild animals select and use specific plants with medicinal properties to heal themselves.

Exemplifying the same, Susanta Nanda, an Odisha-based Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, recently shared a video on his Twitter account. In what would surprise many, the clip shows a lion eating leaves directly off a tree branch. The officer captioned the post: “There are many reasons why carnivores also eat grass and leaves.” He added: “It helps them settle stomach aches and in extreme cases provides water.”

Check out the Twitter post:

Yes. Lions sometimes eat grass & leaves. It may come as a surprise, but there are many reasons as why they eat grass & leaves.

It helps them to settle stomach aches & in extreme cases provides water. pic.twitter.com/Crov6gLjWm

— Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) July 21, 2023

Shared only a few hours ago, the post garnered over 21,000 views.

Check out some of the comments below:

“Yes, my cats and dogs too love grass, but sometimes eating too much upsets their stomachs,” wrote one.

yes, my cats and dogs too love grass, but sometimes if they eat too much it can upset their tummy.

— PrincessKiran :): (@imprincesskiran) July 21, 2023

To which, another replied: “Cats eat grass to catch the hairs in a ball in their stomach to vomit out this ball. The hairs are there from licking their fur.”

Cats eat grass to catch the hairs in a ball in their stomach to vomit out this ball. The hairs are there as a result of licking their fur.

— Ratana shifu (@RatanaShifu) July 21, 2023

“Maybe grass and leaves help digest meat. My dog used to eat a lot even after having a full meal. Here in the North East people eat mostly pork so they don’t cook it with masala but with varieties of green leaves,” said another user.

May be grass and leaves help to digest meat, my dog used to eat a lot even after having full meal, here in NE ppl eat mostly pork so they don't cook it wid masala but cook it with varieties of green leaves