Chantek facts for kids

Chantek (born December 17, 1977 – died August 7, 2017) was a very special orangutan. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. Chantek learned to use many smart skills, including American Sign Language (ASL). He was taught by two American anthropologists, Lyn Miles and Ann Southcombe. In the Malay and Indonesian languages, cantik (pronounced chanteek) means "lovely" or "beautiful."

Chantek's Early Life

Chantek was born at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center. When he was about nine months old, he moved to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Dr. Lyn Miles was in charge of a project to study apes. She and some student helpers took care of Chantek when he first arrived.

Dr. Miles taught Chantek his first signs, "food-eat" and "drink." Later, Ann Southcombe joined the team. Ann had experience raising baby gorillas. She became Chantek's first "mother" and "teacher." Dr. Miles wanted Chantek to be raised a lot like a human child, but also have time to be an orangutan. Ann even taught Chantek how to use the toilet!

Chantek had chores, just like a kid. He would pick up his toys or sit for a signing test. For his work, he earned an allowance using steel washers as money. He spent almost nine years living on the UTC campus in a special trailer. He even went to classes sometimes! The people at the university loved him so much that his photo was put in the school yearbooks.

As Chantek grew bigger, it became harder to keep him safely in his area. One time, he accidentally surprised a female student. Because of this, the university decided to send him back to Yerkes. For the next eleven years, he lived in a smaller space. He became sad and gained weight because he couldn't move around much. When his old caretakers visited, he would often sign for them to get car keys and take him home. Finally, in 1997, Zoo Atlanta offered him a new home. He moved to an enclosure with trees where he could swing from branch to branch.

Later Years and Passing

In 2013, the TV channel Animal Planet made a show about Chantek's life. It was called "The Ape That Went to College." His former caretaker, Lyn, would visit him. He would still use signs, especially when she was there. Even if he hadn't had soda or ice cream in years, he would ask for them in sign language.

Chantek lived at Zoo Atlanta with other orangutans. He enjoyed painting, putting beads on strings, and building things. He was a bit shy and quiet, but he always listened carefully and noticed everything around him. On August 7, 2017, Chantek passed away from heart disease. He was 39 years old.

Chantek's Amazing Intellect

Chantek learned about 150 different signs from American Sign Language. He also understood spoken English. Chantek was very smart! He could make and use tools. He even understood the idea of money and working to earn things.

He knew how to get around too. He could tell people the way from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to the nearest Dairy Queen! He also remembered things that happened many years ago. He loved the country basket and Dilly bars from Dairy Queen. Chantek enjoyed being creative. He made paintings, necklaces, and even music.

Just like young children, Chantek liked to use names instead of words like "he" or "she." He even made up his own signs! For example, he signed 'eye-drink' for contact lens solution. He also had a special sign for a friend, 'Dave missing finger.' Chantek learned to point to objects, just like humans do. He used words to describe things, like "orange dogs" when he saw orangutans he didn't know.

Chantek also showed that he knew who he was. He would groom himself in a mirror. He used signs to plan things in his mind and even to trick people sometimes! He didn't just do things because he was trained. He learned different roles in games, like 'Simon Says.' Many orangutans are good at solving problems. Chantek showed thinking skills similar to how humans solve problems. Because of his smart and language abilities, some scientists believed he had "personhood."

Orangutan Personhood

The idea of "personhood" is sometimes used for animals who show they are aware, can use language, and learn from their culture. Dr. Miles and others believe that great apes, like orangutans, should have personhood. This could mean they would eventually have legal rights, just like people.

Dr. Miles started Project Chantek to learn more about the minds of orangutans. She hopes her research will help us understand how human language and culture grew. Her project focused on how Chantek learned culture. The Chantek Foundation supports her work. Their goal is to learn more about orangutans, support language research with them, and help protect orangutans. They also want to create special places for great apes to live, helping humans and apes understand each other better.

See also

In Spanish: Chantek para niños