Chantek (December 17, 1977 – August 7, 2017), [1] born at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia, was a male hybrid Sumatran/Bornean orangutan [2] who demonstrated a number of intellectual skills, including the use of several signs adapted from American Sign Language (ASL).

Born at the Yerkes Language Research Center, Chantek was a beloved member of the Zoo’s orangutan population for 20 years, arriving at Zoo Atlanta in 1997. He was well-known for his knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL), learned prior to his arrival at the Zoo.

Aug 8, 2017 · Chantek, a male orangutan who lived at Zoo Atlanta, was one of the first apes to successfully learn American Sign Language. He knew other tricks, too.

Aug 11, 2011 · Chantek: Chimpanzees are not the only talking apes. In 1978, anthropologist Lyn Miles of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga began studying an orangutan named Chantek. During eight years...

Chantek developed a vocabulary of over 150 signs after several years, and comprehended spoken English. He even invented signs of his own, e.g., EYE-DRINK for contact lens solution, and DAVE-MISSING-FINGER for a special friend. Chantek’s learning closely paralleled that of human children.

Aug 8, 2017 · Chantek was being treated for progressive heart disease, Zoo Atlanta said An orangutan who was one of the first apes to learn sign language has died in Atlanta, Georgia, aged 39.

Aug 8, 2017 · Chantek, a male orangutan who was among the first apes to learn sign language, could clean his room and memorized the way to a fast-food restaurant, died on Monday at age 39, Zoo Atlanta said.

Aug 7, 2017 · The Zoo Atlanta family is saddened to announce the passing of Chantek, a 39-year-old male orangutan, on August 7, 2017. Although his cause of death is not yet known, the Zoo’s Animal Care and Veterinary Teams had been treating Chantek with a regimen of advanced medical therapy targeted at mitigating his progressive heart disease.

Chantek is a twenty-two year old male orangutan who was enculturated and taught to use sign language by anthropologist Dr. H. Lyn Miles. Join the Chantek Foundation and help support research with Chantek as well as create a new Primate Cultural Center for enculturated ape persons, like Chantek.

Aug 8, 2017 · Chantek, the beloved orangutan who was one of the first apes to learn sign language, has passed away at age 39.