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| Koko the gorilla, who has shown the researchers that apes could very well learn to speak one day (Image Source: You Tube ) |
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison psychology lab have found that apes can develop the capability to speak.
On reviewing 71 hours of video footage of Koko the gorilla interacting with other researchers, they repeatedly found evidence of her exhibiting nine types of voluntary behaviours requiring control over her vocalization and breathing.
These were learned behaviours, previously thought to be impossible.
The researchers say Koko is not uniquely gifted, but rather, has responded to the environment she has been placed in; and that with right conditions, apes can develop quite a flexible control over their vocal chords.
Koko has been living with the researchers over the last 40 years, as part of a lifelong study to teach her a silent form of communication, American Sign Language. The progress she's made regarding vocalization and breathing behaviour is however new.
The three YouTube videos of Koko coughing, playing a wind instrument and blowing her nose, posted on August 13, have already been viewed more than 190,000 times.
The researchers say Koko plays the instrument for her own amusement. But we can see it in the video that she responds to a request to blow it louder.
Even her coughing and blowing her nose in the other two videos are responses to requests that she do it.
Koko has her own website, and a presence on the social media, including You Tube, Facebook and Twitter.