In memory of Kanzi and all he did to teach people about endangered bonobos, we have started the Kanzi Bonobo Fund. This fund will ensure the lifelong support and care of Kanzi’s bonobo family members: Elikya, Nyota, Maisha, Mali, Clara, and Teco. Please consider a donation in loving memory of Kanzi. Ape Initiative News Release March 21, 2025

Kanzi (October 28, 1980 – March 18, 2025), also known by the lexigram (from the character 太), was a male bonobo who was the subject of several studies on great ape language. According to Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, a primatologist who has studied the bonobo since the 1990s, Kanzi exhibited advanced linguistic aptitude. [1][2][3]

Mar 20, 2025 · Kanzi the bonobo, who learned how to communicate with humans using symbols, has died at the age of 44.Raised and kept in captivity, Kanzi was the subject of many studies aimed at illuminating ape ...

Kanzi has been described online as the world’s smartest ape. A number of YouTube videos showcase his intelligence, with content creators interacting with him in intelligence tests and video ...

Kanzi is Elikya and Maisha’s adopted brother, and Nyota and Teco’s uncle. He is regarded as the first great ape to demonstrate an understanding of spoken English. Kanzi comprehends novel sentences and combines lexigram symbols to describe new objects and foods.

Mar 26, 2025 · Kanzi requests more frozen grapes. Des Moines’ Ape Initiative, as well as scientists and animal lovers around the world, are mourning the loss of Kanzi, the bonobo who became famous for his trail-blazing language abilities. Kanzi was born in captivity and was part of a language project his entire ...

Mar 20, 2025 · Kanzi, the famous bonobo at Des Moines' Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, has died at the age of 44. He had been his normal, happy self, and was even playing in the towers the day he...

Mar 20, 2025 · DES MOINES, Iowa — The Ape Cognition & Conservation (Ape) Initiative announced on social media Wednesday that one of their bonobos has died. In a post on Facebook, the initiative said that Kanzi, a 44-year-old bonobo, died Tuesday afternoon.

Mar 20, 2025 · Kanzi, a male bonobo with advanced language aptitude, has died at the age of 44 according to a statement by the Ape Initiative, the conservation and research center in Des Moines, Iowa, where...

Mar 21, 2025 · Kanzi the bonobo – who was able to communicate complex ideas using symbols – died suddenly on March 18 at the Ape Conservation and Cognition Initiative (ACCI) research center in Des Moines, Iowa.