A Legendary Ape Steps into the Spotlight (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Researchers captured compelling evidence of pretend play in a celebrated bonobo through carefully staged sessions involving nonexistent juice and empty cups.[1][2]
A Legendary Ape Steps into the Spotlight
Kanzi captivated scientists for decades with his extraordinary skills. Born in 1980, this bonobo – whose name translates to “treasure” in Swahili – gained fame for his grasp of English and use of lexigrams to communicate. He resided at the Ape Initiative in Des Moines, Iowa, until his death in 2025 at age 44.[1]
Unlike typical apes, Kanzi pointed to respond to questions, a behavior rare among his kind. A 1993 study showed he outpaced a human toddler on hundreds of spoken commands. His prowess set the stage for probing deeper cognitive questions, including whether apes could engage in make-believe.[2]
Staging the Ultimate Pretend Test
Cognitive scientists Christopher Krupenye of Johns Hopkins University and Amalia Bastos of the University of St. Andrews designed experiments mirroring tests on human children from the 1980s. They arranged “sterile tea parties” across a table from Kanzi, using transparent, empty cups and a pitcher.[1]
The routine unfolded simply. An experimenter pretended to pour juice into both cups, then mimed pouring it back from one cup into the pitcher. Only one cup held the “imaginary” juice. They slid the table forward and prompted: “Where’s the juice?” Kanzi responded by pointing. Similar trials tested pretend grapes.[3]
- Transparent props ensured no real liquid deceived him.
- Training trials with actual juice preceded probes.
- Controls distinguished real from pretend contents.
- Counterbalancing prevented cues from handling or position.
Impressive Accuracy Sparks Debate
Kanzi selected the correct cup about 70% of the time in unreinforced trials – 68% for juice and nearly 69% for grapes – far exceeding chance.[3] He differentiated real juice from pretend in follow-up tests, selecting actual contents 78% accurately.
These results, detailed in a new Science journal paper, ruled out imitation, perseveration, or confusion.[3] Observations of wild chimpanzees cradling sticks like infants had hinted at pretense before, but controlled proof remained elusive until now.
Rewriting the Story of Imagination
The findings suggest pretense emerged in common ancestors of humans and great apes 6 to 9 million years ago. “It tells us that the roots of our imagination were present in the common ancestors that we share with great apes,” Krupenye noted.[1]
Philosopher Kristin Andrews of the City University of New York, unaffiliated with the study, described it as evidence of “pretense and imagination,” the capacity to envision unreal scenarios as real. This mental flexibility aids decision-making and hints at richer inner worlds across species.[1]
Though limited to one exceptional ape, the work disproves human exclusivity in imagination. Broader tests on other primates could follow.
Key Takeaways
- Apes like Kanzi track pretend objects, succeeding ~70% in controlled trials.
- Capacity likely dates to 6-9 million years ago in shared lineage.
- Expands understanding of animal cognition beyond the observable.
This breakthrough invites reflection on the blurred lines between human and animal minds. Future studies may uncover imagination in more species, reshaping evolutionary narratives. What do you think about Kanzi’s feats? Share in the comments.
