Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute: Difference between revisions
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The ''Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute'' (CHCI) is located on the campus of [[Central Washington University]] in [[Ellensburg, WA]]. CHCI is a sanctuary for several chimpanzees who have learned to communicate with humans and each other using [[Ameslan]] and [[American Sign Language]]. CHCI's co-directors are Roger Fouts and Mary Lee Jensvold, both professors at Central Washington University. |
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==CHCI's Residents== |
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*[[Washoe]], 1966-. Washoe is the first non-human primate to learn a human language. |
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*[[Loulis]], 1978-. Loulis is Washoe's adopted son and the first non-human primate to learn a human language from another non-human primate. |
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*[[Tatu]], 1975-. |
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*[[Dar]], 1976-. |
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*[[Moja]], 1972-2002. Moja passed away from natural causes. |
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==CHCI's History== |
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In September 1980, Washoe, Loulis, and Moja moved to Central Washington University. Tatu and Dar followed the next year. The chimpanzees were originally housed on the third floor of the university's psychology complex. Roger Fouts and his students advocated the campus and the state legislature for a specialized facility for the chimpanzees. The CHCI complex was opened on May 7, 1993. |
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==CHCI's Mission== |
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CHCI works to promote advocacy of chimpanzee conservation and the promotion of primate intellect. The sanctuary hosts public sessions, known as Chimposeums, which allow the public to see the chimps in action. The sessions include a classroom section where the project is introduced and the visitors learn about the chimps, followed by a session observing and interacting with the chimps. Nobody -- visitors or staff -- have physical contact with the chimps for safety reasons. |
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==CHCI's Future== |
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CHCI has no immediate plans to introduce any other chimpanzees to keep the delicate family balance intact. It was suggested that after all bur one pass away this might be a possiblity, but not now. |
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==Research Opportunities== |
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CHCI hosts opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates. Many volunteer as docents or assistants within the center while others actually conduct research on primate behavior. CHCI has a firm policy of letting the chimpanzees dictate the rules -- research projects which inconvienience the chimps in any way must be aborted. Research is mostly observational. |
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==Resources== |
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[http://www.cwu.edu/~chci/ CHCI Homepage] |
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[http://www.friendsofwashoe.org/ Friends of Washoe -- CHCI's 501.3(c) organization dedicated to education and advocacy.] |
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Fouts, Roger. (1997). '''Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees'''. HarperCollins Publishers: New York. |
Revision as of 05:52, 16 July 2005
The Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) is located on the campus of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. CHCI is a sanctuary for several chimpanzees who have learned to communicate with humans and each other using Ameslan and American Sign Language. CHCI's co-directors are Roger Fouts and Mary Lee Jensvold, both professors at Central Washington University.
CHCI's Residents
- Washoe, 1966-. Washoe is the first non-human primate to learn a human language.
- Loulis, 1978-. Loulis is Washoe's adopted son and the first non-human primate to learn a human language from another non-human primate.
- Tatu, 1975-.
- Dar, 1976-.
- Moja, 1972-2002. Moja passed away from natural causes.
CHCI's History
In September 1980, Washoe, Loulis, and Moja moved to Central Washington University. Tatu and Dar followed the next year. The chimpanzees were originally housed on the third floor of the university's psychology complex. Roger Fouts and his students advocated the campus and the state legislature for a specialized facility for the chimpanzees. The CHCI complex was opened on May 7, 1993.
CHCI's Mission
CHCI works to promote advocacy of chimpanzee conservation and the promotion of primate intellect. The sanctuary hosts public sessions, known as Chimposeums, which allow the public to see the chimps in action. The sessions include a classroom section where the project is introduced and the visitors learn about the chimps, followed by a session observing and interacting with the chimps. Nobody -- visitors or staff -- have physical contact with the chimps for safety reasons.
CHCI's Future
CHCI has no immediate plans to introduce any other chimpanzees to keep the delicate family balance intact. It was suggested that after all bur one pass away this might be a possiblity, but not now.
Research Opportunities
CHCI hosts opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates. Many volunteer as docents or assistants within the center while others actually conduct research on primate behavior. CHCI has a firm policy of letting the chimpanzees dictate the rules -- research projects which inconvienience the chimps in any way must be aborted. Research is mostly observational.
Resources
Friends of Washoe -- CHCI's 501.3(c) organization dedicated to education and advocacy.
Fouts, Roger. (1997). Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees. HarperCollins Publishers: New York.