Kanzi

Kanzi is a bonobo (a close relative of chimpanzees) renowned for its advanced communication abilities. Raised in a human-like environment, Kanzi learned to understand and use a complex system of symbols and lexigrams—visual signs representing words—to communicate with humans. Unlike typical animals, Kanzi demonstrates remarkable comprehension of spoken language and can respond appropriately, showcasing the cognitive skills associated with language understanding. His abilities provide valuable insights into animal intelligence and the evolution of language, illustrating that some non-human primates can grasp and utilize aspects of human communication in meaningful ways.