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Famous Sign Language Chimp Dies At Age 36

the daily dish More on PawNation: Celebs, Chimpanzees, Exotic, Sad, Sign Language, Talented, Wild Animals

By Sara Tan Nov 26, 2012

  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
    1 of 10

    Dar, the brilliant chimpanzee who used sign language to communicate, unexpectedly died at the age of 36, according to the Daily Mail UK. 

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  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
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    Dar was the second youngest member of a family of chimps at Central Washington University. 

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  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
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    Sadly, Dar died of unknown causes on Saturday morning. An autopsy is planned in the coming days.

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  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
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    His full name was Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.

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    Dar learned how to sign at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. 

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  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
    6 of 10

    Although his life was cut short, Dar definitely left a mark on the world. 

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  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
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    "Dar signed throughout his life, teaching us about friendships between humans and nonhumans, and the minds of chimpanzees," said Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold, who directs the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute.

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    The average lifespan for chimpanzees is 40–45 years. They usually live much longer in captivity, however. 

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  • Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute/facebook
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    Cheetah the chimpanzee died last December at the age of 80. Cheetah was famous for starring in the "Tarzan" films. 

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    Next: Dog Adopts Baby Chimp

    Dar leaves behind Loulis and Tatu, two of the most articulate signers of their chimpanzee family. He will be greatly missed. 

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palmqfam

Dar did not learn to sign at the air force base. He learned to sign in Reno Nevada with Tatu and Moja. Another story points out that he was the first chimp to learn sign language. Also not true, Washoe was the first chimp.

November 27 2012 at 5:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
dietrite66

How long can chimps live up to cuz it says it was unexpectedly died at 35?

November 27 2012 at 2:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
dickn2000b

Donald is a first class cloaca.

November 27 2012 at 12:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
frkbaha

Donald, why do you insult the poor dead chimp like that?...

November 26 2012 at 10:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Donald

Sad that the next GOP VP candidate has passed....RIP

November 26 2012 at 8:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Donald's comment
mike_deprado

Donald - he actually looks more like our current President, except he was a lot smarter.

November 27 2012 at 10:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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