New Research Reveals Imagination in Bonobos: A Closer Look at Ape Pretend Play
Recent studies have unveiled fascinating insights into the imaginative capabilities of bonobos, suggesting that these apes can engage in pretentious play similarly to children. A notable experiment involved Kanzi, a bonobo who participated in a make-believe tea party, demonstrating behaviors indicative of imagination. This groundbreaking research challenges the long-held belief that the ability to imagine is uniquely human, showing that bonobos, along with other great apes, possess the cognitive skills to play pretend. Scientists are excited about these findings, which highlight the mental lives of apes and hint at a shared capacity for imagination across species.
The New York Times, National Geographic, NBC News, The Guardian, AP News, New Scientist, Scientific American, Phys.org, Live Science, The Wall Street Journal