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| Kanzi (center) in the indoor test apparatus to show off newly learned language skills |
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With a focus on science, education, and outreach, AI's programs enrich the lives of seven bonobos born in captivity and foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world.
Great ape personhood is a movement to extend "personhood" and some legal protections to the non-human members of the great ape family: bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans [1, 2, 3].
Laboratory studies of ape language ability revealed other human traits, as did genetics, and eventually three of the great apes were reclassified as hominids. More
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| What do you mean we're "endangered"? |
What is Ape Initiative? Ape Initiative (apeinitiative.org) is the only research center in the world dedicated to the study and conservation of the species most closely related to humans, the endangered bonobo.
Ape Initiative is a federally-recognized non-profit organization.
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| Just as humans ruined them, we must save them |
Bonobos are an endangered species of African Great Ape with as few as 15,000-20,000 individuals alive in the wild.
Understanding bonobo behavior, and how they interact with one another, is critical if we are going to save them.
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| Who's smarter, bonobos, chimps, or humans? |
That’s why AI developed a scientifically grounded conservation education program for students of all ages. The goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists and educators by promoting scientific literacy and environmental stewardship.
Legal protections and personhood?
Koko the Gorilla's best moments: from Sign Language to meeting Mister Rogers
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| Dr. Jane Goodall Barbie with friend |
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| Existing great apes left |
Advocates include primatologists Jane Goodall and Dawn Prince-Hughes, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, philosophers Paola Cavalieri and Princeton's Peter Singer, and Harvard Law School legal scholar Steven Wise [4, 5].
Studies by Dr. Goodall revealed that the social and family life of chimps are similar to those of human beings. She describes them as individuals and claims they relate to her as an individual member of the clan.
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| Shut up, Kanzi! You can't be a person. |
- DONATE
- apeinitiative.org
- Non-profit organization 501(c)(3)
- rootsandshoots.org
- That Vegan Teacher
- Dr. Jane Goodall
Kanzi the ape learns human language
Apes freak out when I speak their language
Bonobos are the closest living relatives of human beings, and while attempts have been made to teach them to use human language, it is very rare for human beings to try to communicate with bonobos on their terms using bonobo vocalizations and gestures.
So when I attempted to do this as an innocent visitor to this bonobo research center, the bonobos were genuinely shocked (freaked out), and we bonded pretty hard.
- FUNDRAISER: I’m running this video as a fundraiser for Ape Initiative, a federally-recognized non-profit that is the world’s only bonobo research center. Bonobos are an endangered species, and Ape Initiative works with scientists and educators to help understand bonobo behavior with an aim towards ensuring their preservation in the wild. Consider donating to the fundraiser if or visit apeinitiative.org
- Thanks to MyHeritage for sponsoring this video. I found out that I'm an Ashkenazi Jew. Go to bit.ly/XIAO_MH to use coupon code XIAO for free shipping on any order.
- 0:00 Introduction
- 2:17 Where are we?
- 2:45 What are bonobos?
- 4:46 Making friends with a bonobo
- 6:26 Kanzi comes to play
- 7:45 They were shocked I knew how to do this
- 8:12 Kanzi uses his human language keyboard
- 9:23 Bonobos think I'm a bonobo
- 10:32 Showing my submissiveness
- 11:48 Scaring me with my back turned
- 13:01 Closing thoughts
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| Dr. Jane Goodall promoted a vegan plant-based diet for all humans to save our world. |
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