The famous chimpanzee named Ai, known for her ability to recognize letters, numbers, and hieroglyphs, has passed away. She died on January 9 at the age of 49, as reported by the Center for the Study of Human Evolutionary Behavior, formerly known as the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University, according to RIA Novosti.
According to representatives of the institute, Ai died due to old age and organ failure, surrounded by staff. Since 1977, when she was admitted to the institute, the chimpanzee participated in numerous studies related to the evolution of language, as well as the study of knowledge, learning, and memory. These studies laid the foundation for understanding the "mind of the chimpanzee" and reflections on human evolution.
Chimpanzee Ai was recognized as "genius" due to her inquisitive mind and ability to learn. She could not only recognize letters and numbers but also accurately select the hieroglyph for "green" when shown the color green. There is a known case where she managed to escape from her cage by opening a padlock with a key left nearby. In 1985, her achievements were highlighted in the scientific journal Nature.
