Talk to the Animals

[Argonavis (William)]

A chimp who was taught sign language has died at age 42:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...himp-obit.html

There was some doubts about weather Washo fully understood their conversations, especially after a number of fakes, such as Clever Hans:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...Feb/ai_6331710

But the general view was that she did:
http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/07-10-31.html#feature

An adult chimp has been compared to a 2-3 year old human in terms of their mental development. This really illustrates the amazing capability of the human mind - we are a wonderful species.

Nevertheless, whilst our connections to our ape relatives has been confirmed by DNA analysis, many people still think of chimps as little hairy apes like what they see on TV. The fallacy is that chimps on TV are pre-adolescents. Once they are adolescents they are much too difficult to work with. These animals are about 7 times stronger than a human, and are consequently quite dangerous.

To get a better idea of a fully grown chimp, see the attached image. The size is impressive and the physiological similarities striking.

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

That made for some interesting reading, thanks for posting those links William.

I remember some years ago sitting quietly for an hour or more watching the 2 chimpazee's in the Rockhampton Botanical gardens, very interesting to watch their interactions once they "forgot" I was there, and no one else came along in ages to disturb them.

I also remember spending some time at one of the Monkey Forrests in Bali back in the 90's with several of the macaques watching my every move for signs of food. I likewise watched them as they quietly size up prospects, and I even saw 2 of the clever buggers distract someones attention while a third came up quietly and picked a promising pocket, grabbing an unopened bag of nuts. So eerily human, and these guys are no where near as advanced as the great apes.

[astroron (Ron)]

I once worked at Adalaide Zoo,Amale and female chimp where in heat but the male had been reard by hand, and had no idea of the birds and bees, so was very frustrated
There where a lot of people standing infront of the cage and laughing at his problem, they didnt laugh any more as he picked up a handfull of chimp POO and threw it at them. He had the last laugh as they coudn't get out of the way quickly enough as they where packed so close together
Who said Apes were dumb

[fringe_dweller]

loool! great read guys! very funny story Ron! sure made monkeys out of the crowd

[Argonavis (William)]

Originally Posted by astroron

I once worked at Adalaide Zoo,Amale and female zoo where in heat but the male had been reard by hand, and had no idea of the birds and bees, so was very frustrated
There where a lot of people standing infront of the cage and laughing at his problem, they didnt laugh any more as he picked up a handfull of chimp POO and threw it at them. He had the last laugh as they coudn't get out of the way quickly enough as they where packed so close together
Who said Apes were dumb

This is common behaviour for chimps in zoos, maybe from boredom. Human prisoners can do likewise. If I recall Lions will urinate at the zoo patrons, and they are quite accurate shots.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Argonavis

This is common behaviour for chimps in zoos, maybe from boredom. Human prisoners can do likewise. If I recall Lions will urinate at the zoo patrons, and they are quite accurate shots.

Not only Lions. A Tiger once peed on me on a school trip to Chester Zoo; a pungent, acrid experience!

Cheers

Dennis

[astroron (Ron)]

Chimps can be quite jelous, as the same chimp caught me with a hand full as well.
I gave the female a full apple and the male chimp only half an apple, he showed his displeasure by giving me the same treatment as the people who had laughed at him only this time in the back of the neck.
I never had my back to him again if I could help it

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

That's the spirit Ron!

Sage advice for anyone: don't take any crap from a chimp, and definitely don't let them make a monkey of you!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Great reads Will.
Thanks for posting the links.

[joe_smith]

Originally Posted by Argonavis

Nevertheless, whilst our connections to our ape relatives has been confirmed by DNA analysis

Hmmm this is an interesting theory but we are also closely related to pigs in our DNA also. Plus pig organs can be transplanted into humans, and they are trying to overcome some problems doing it but it can be done.

researchers have managed to employ pig livers, but only externally and not implanted in the body, to cleanse the blood of toxins in a small number of patients with severe liver failure
http://www.facsnet.org/tools/sci_tech/biotek/pig.php3

Scientists have successfully produced an embryonic pig-human hybrid. Human DNA was inserted into pig cells which became tiny embryos
http://www.rense.com/general4/hupig.htm

BUT the DNA in monkey cells will always produce baby monkeys alway have and always will. Same goes for Pigs and humans and every other species on earth. The DNA in cells is like the ROM in a computer which is fixed and dosent change, and not like the RAM that can be changed. If the DNA in the cells randomly change then the mutations on the physiology of the poor thing is disastrous, unless of cause you think two heads are better than one