Farewell to Kanzi, the Bonobo Who Demonstrated Language Skills and Minecraft Proficiency
Revised Article:
Kanzi, the iconic bonobo, bid his final farewell at the age of 44, shaking up our understanding of ape intelligence and pushing back against long-held beliefs about what sets us humans apart from our closest relatives.
On March 18, 2023, Kanzi passed away in Des Moines, Iowa, according to the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, a research group dedicated to the study and preservation of bonobos. Initially, handling staff had observed no unusual behavior from the aging bonobo, who was chasing another bonobo in his enclosure, foraging for food, and engaging in grooming sessions. Regrettably, Kanzi had been dealing with heart disease, a fact that may have contributed to his demise, considering the average life expectancy for bonobos hovers around 40 years old.
The Ape Initiative released a heartfelt statement, expressing the immense impact Kanzi had on their team. "We're absolutely devastated by Kanzi's passing," they wrote. "He was a friend to everyone, loved by his bonobo family members and a beloved figure for so many people."
Kanzi was an extraordinary ape, belonging to the impressive family that includes chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and humans (yes, apes and humans are close kin). His remarkable aptitude for language and toolmaking, combined with a zest for life that could put many humans to shame, made him one of the most influential nonhuman minds ever studied.
Born at the Yerkes Field Station in Georgia in 1980, Kanzi spent his early life in captivity as part of what is now known as the Emory National Primate Research Center. At five years old, Kanzi and his sister, Panbanisha, were moved to Georgia State University's Language Research Center. Afterward, they relocated to the Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa, a facility that was later embroiled in controversy, prompting its closure following Panbanisha's death in 2012 amid allegations of animal mistreatment and organizational dysfunction. The site was later rejuvenated in 2013 under the stewardship of the Ape Initiative.
Gorilla Koko and chimp Washoe were renowned for their mastery of sign language, but Kanzi took communication to unprecedented levels, demonstrating profound capacity for understanding symbols and comprehending spoken English, all thanks to primatologist Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and her lexigram-based approach to teaching Kanzi. Initial estimates placed his mastery of spoken English at around 3,000 words.
During the 1990s, archaeologists Nicholas Toth and Kathy Schick taught Kanzi the intricacies of stone tool creation and usage, leveraging techniques akin to early human toolmakers. Over time, Kanzi didn't simply mimic their methods; he started devising his own stone-flaking techniques, offering rare glimpses into the cognitive and motor complexities essential for prehistoric toolmaking.
During his time at the Great Ape Trust, Kanzi and his fellow apes enjoyed an extensive array of modern conveniences, including a fully-equipped kitchen with a vending machine, microwave, and a rec room complete with a TV and VCR, where Kanzi was a dedicated fan of Clint Eastwood's films, among others.
Famously, Kanzi was an avid gamer who captivated the world when videos of him playing Pac-Man surfaced in 2006, proving he was no ordinary animal. Correspondence between primatologist Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and the researcher revealed that Kanzi mastered the game within hours and even started teaching it to other apes. The ensuing fascination with Kanzi's gaming prowess set the stage for his role as a pioneer, igniting a new wave of interest in the intelligence and capabilities of nonhuman apes.
In 2023, YouTube user Christopher Slayton chronicled Kanzi's legendary gaming skills once more, this time with Minecraft, cementing his status as a trailblazer and influencer in the realm of nonhuman gaming. According to Amanda Epping, a research coordinator at the Ape Initiative, Kanzi loved the video game and reveled in an audience that cheered him on. "[Kanzi's] ability to learn new skills within minutes was truly incredible," Epping said. "With Minecraft, he could understand what was expected of him within just a few attempts at performing the task."
Kanzi transcended the realm of scientific curiosity, not just as a subject of fascination, but as living proof that the artificial barriers we erect between human and nonhuman intelligence are fragile and insubstantial. As we reflect upon Kanzi's life and legacy, it's abundantly clear that the divide between humans and our fellow apes is far less daunting than we prefer to imagine.
[1] Emory University. (n.d.). National Primate Research Centers. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.yerkes.emory.edu/about/national-primate-research-centers.html[2] Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative. (n.d.). Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://apesci.org/[3] Weins, L. M. (2023). Kanzi died at the age of 44. He was a bonobo who could play video games. Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2023/03/24/bonobo-kanzi-died-at-44-apes-cognition-and-conservation-initiative-research/72442789007/[4] Ape Initiative. (n.d.). Kanzi. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://apesci.org/staff-tenants/kanzi/
- The future of science might hold more discoveries about the intellectual depth of bonobos like Kanzi, as research groups like the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative continue to study and preserve these remarkable animals.
- Technology played a significant role in Kanzi's life, as he was one of the first apes to master video games like Pac-Man and Minecraft, demonstrating his extraordinary cognitive abilities.
- As chronicled by researchers, Kanzi's aptitude for language, toolmaking, and problem-solving shattered the boundaries between human and nonhuman intelligence, proving that apes share a complex cognitive makeup similar to our own.
- The legacy of the elderly bonobo, Kanzi, may well serve as a poignant reminder of the chronicled devastating effects of heart diseases on our closest relatives, spurring scientific research to better understand and address these challenges in the remainder of captive and wild bonobo populations.
