Apes Freaked Out When I Spoke Their Language

I spent weeks secretly studying ape communication and then I convinced these apes into thinking I was one of them. Bonobos are the closest living relatives of human beings, and while attempts have been made to teach them to use human language, it is very rare for human beings to try to communicate with bonobos on their terms using bonobo vocalizations and gestures, and so when I attempted to do this as an innocent visitor to this bonobo research center, the bonobos were genuinely shocked and we bonded pretty hard.

I’m running this video as a fundraiser for Ape Initiative, a federally-recognized non-profit which is the world’s only bonobo research center. Bonobos are an endangered species and Ape Initiative works with scientists and educators to help understand bonobo behavior with an aim towards ensuring their preservation in the wild. Consider donating to the fundraiser if you can or visit their website at https://www.apeinitiative.org/

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