The Passing of a Legend: Kanzi the Bonobo

Kanzi, the iconic bonobo, has passed away at the age of 44, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly reshaped our understanding of ape intelligence and challenged long-held beliefs about the separation between humans and our closest living relatives.

A Life of Discovery and Learning

Kanzi’s death occurred on March 18 in Des Moines, Iowa, as announced by the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, a research group dedicated to the study and preservation of bonobos. Despite being treated for heart disease, Kanzi’s handlers reported that he appeared to be in good health on the day of his passing, engaging in activities such as chasing a fellow bonobo, foraging for food, and grooming. The average life expectancy for bonobos is around 40 years, so while his death is a loss, it is not entirely unexpected.

The Ape Initiative expressed their devastation at Kanzi’s passing, stating, "Kanzi means so much to so many people. Our team is absolutely devastated by Kanzi’s passing. A favorite among his bonobo family members, Kanzi was a friend to everyone." Kanzi’s impact on the scientific community and beyond cannot be overstated, as he was a legend among great apes, a group that includes chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and humans.

Early Life and Development

Born in captivity in 1980, Kanzi was initially raised at the Yerkes Field Station in Georgia, part of the Emory National Primate Research Center. At the age of five, he and his sister Panbanisha were relocated to Georgia State University’s Language Research Center. Later, they moved to the Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa, a facility that would eventually become mired in controversy before being taken over by the Ape Initiative in 2013.

Communication and Intelligence

Kanzi’s remarkable ability to communicate and comprehend language set him apart from other great apes. While Koko the gorilla and Washoe the chimp communicated using sign language, Kanzi took communication to a new level by demonstrating a profound capacity to communicate via symbols and comprehend verbal English. Under the guidance of primatologist Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Kanzi learned to use a keyboard labeled with geometric symbols known as lexigrams, eventually learning the meaning of around 3,000 spoken words.

Toolmaking and Cognitive Abilities

In the 1990s, archaeologists Nicholas Toth and Kathy Schick from Indiana University worked with Kanzi, teaching him how to make and use stone tools using techniques borrowed from early humans. Over time, Kanzi developed his own method of flaking stones, offering rare insight into the cognitive and motor skills required for prehistoric toolmaking.

A Life of Enrichment and Leisure

At the Great Ape Trust, Kanzi and his fellow apes enjoyed a facility equipped with modern amenities, including drinking fountains, hydraulic doors, a kitchen, and a rec room with a TV and VCR. Kanzi was known to enjoy watching films, including the Clint Eastwood movie "Every Which Way But Loose," and was even a skilled gamer, famously playing Pac-Man and later Minecraft.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Kanzi’s legacy extends far beyond his scientific significance, as he inspired a new generation of researchers, activists, and enthusiasts to reevaluate the boundaries between human and nonhuman intelligence. His life and achievements serve as a powerful reminder that the gap between humans and our fellow apes is not as wide as we often assume. As we reflect on Kanzi’s extraordinary life, we are reminded of the importance of continued research, conservation, and advocacy for the welfare and rights of nonhuman animals.