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.

Meet Washoe's Family
  Tatu is a 32-year-old female. Her favorite color is black and she seems to enjoy masks.  
Dar is 31, and a pretty mellow guy most of the time. His dad was one of the biggest chimpanzees in captivity.
Loulis is the youngest, at 29. 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 Washoe at home by attending a Chimposium. Call 509.963.2244 for information.  

Washoe Day Resolution

On February 22, 2008, CHCI directors Debbi & Roger Fouts, along with assistant director Mary Lee Jensvold, traveled to Olympia to attend the Washington State House of Representatives. The House honored Washoe's acheivements and the directors' decades of service with a unanimous resolution sponsored by Rep. Judy Warnick (R-Moses Lake).

You read a first hand account and see photos of the event, or read the Full Press Release, or resolution

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 donate online today!
Donate now!
Visit the CHCI Web Site: Research | Publications | Become a Member | CHCI Directors | Academics | Public Visits | Apprentice Program
Friends of Washoe
CHCI/CWU
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7573
Copyright 2004-2008 Friends of Washoe
The images on this site may not be used without written permission.


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