Obituary for a Chimp
NOVEMBER 3, 2007 Listen to this Story
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This weekend, Deborah Fouts is mourning the loss of a long-time friend. On Tuesday, Oct. 30, a 42-year-old female chimpanzee named Washoe (WAH-shoh) died in eastern Washington state. Washoe became a celebrity back in 1969, when her guardians, cognitive researchers R. Allen and Beatrix Gardner, reported that the chimp had learned rudimentary sign language.
The Gardners adopted Washoe from military researchers in 1966. Their findings were later disputed by other scientists who said Washoe was not using true language, just responding to cues from humans. But even now researchers say Washoe's signing prompted whole new lines of primate research, challenging assumptions that humans are the only creatures with a mind. Fouts says Washoe was the matriarch of the group, and the other chimps are having a hard time adjusting to her absence. One has been making the sign for "hurt." She says Washoe adopted a chimpanzee named Loulis as her son and taught him to sign, and the chimps sign among themselves, not just with humans. A memorial service for Washoe is set for Nov. 12.
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- Music Bridge:
- Haala
- Artist: Skallander
- CD: Skallander (Type)
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