Chimpanzee Washoe that acquired human language dies

Chimpanzee Washoe that acquired human language dies

Washoe, a female chimpanzee that was the first non-human to acquire human language, has died of natural causes at a Washington state research institute.

Washoe, who learned American Sign Language in a research project in Nevada, died Tuesday night at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University's Ellensburg campus, said institute co-founders Roger and Deborah Fouts.

She was born in Africa about 1965. A memorial is planned for Nov. 12.