Friends of Washoe

Welcome to Friends of Washoe, a non-profit organization that cares for Washoe and her family.

Meet Washoe

Washoe was born in Africa and was estimated to be 42 years old when she passed away in 2007. Washoe was cross-fostered and acquired American Sign Language from her human companions. She was the first non-human in history to acquire a human language. Washoe touched many lives around the world. To read some of the comments received after her death, visit her Tribute Page

	Meet Washoe's Family
	Tatu is a 33-year-old female. Her favorite color is black and she seems to enjoy masks.
	Dar is 32, and a pretty mellow guy most of the time. His dad was one of the biggest chimpanzees in captivity.
	Loulis is the youngest, at 31. He is Washoe's adopted son and acquired sign language from her.
	Moja liked to dress up in clothes and use mirrors. She passed away in 2002, when she was 29.
	Their Home
	Washoe's family live in the CHCI Sanctuary at Central Washington University. You can visit them by attending a Chimposium. Call 509.963.2244 for information.

New On-Line Store!

Friends of Washoe and CHCI are proud to offer our new on-line store. In the new Chimporium you can purchase great books, limited edition chimpanzee art prints, and CHCI collectables like clothing, magnets, and keychains. You can even become a Friend of Washoe or sponsor a party for the chimpanzees through the site. Try out the new site today. Take a minute and let us know what you think about it, too.

Sponsor a Party at CHCI!

You can become a valuable partner in our holidays and other celebrations by sponsoring a party at CHCI. You sponsorship can make the chimpanzees' birthdays, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, and Christmas extra special this year. Learn more about becoming a sponsor.

What's New?

Find out what Tatu, Loulis and Dar are doing today by visiting the Chimpanzee Camera or read about day to day life at CHCI by visiting our blog, Pan bloglodytes.

The chimpanzees at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute - Loulis, Tatu, and Dar - have acquired extensive American Sign Language vocabularies and live together as a social group. They gesture and vocalize as free-living chimpanzees do and also use American Sign Language in their interactions with humans and with each other to answer questions, make requests, and describe activities and objects.

Washoe was the first non-human animal to acquire a human language and her adopted son Loulis is the first to acquire a human language from another chimpanzee.

Show the chimpanzees you care by becoming a Friends of Washoe member or renewing your membership. You can join online today!

Friends of Washoe
CHCI/CWU
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7573

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