Episode 1 of Series 15: Transcript

We explore the story of Washoe, the first non-human to learn American Sign Language, and discuss the broader implications of chimpanzee communication on our understanding of language, culture, and ethics. The conversation covers the challenges of raising chimps in human environments, the role of sanctuaries in their care, and the ongoing reliance on monkeys in U.S. laboratories.

Guest Bio: Mary Lee Jensvold, Ph.D. is the Primate Communication Scientist and Associate Director at Fauna Foundation and a Senior Lecturer in the Primate Behavior and Ecology Program and Anthropology Department at Central Washington University. She is the former director of the Chimpanzee & Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University. She has spent her career working with the signing chimpanzees, Washoe and her family. Her expertise is in behavior and communication, including American Sign Language in chimpanzees and other apes. Her research includes communication among and between chimpanzees and humans, and captive caregiving practices. Her interest in chimpanzee sanctuaries include care practices, behavior, design, and welfare. She is a member of the board of directors of the Animal Welfare Institute, Fauna Foundation, and Friends of Washoe. She is on the steering committee of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA). She has numerous publications in journals and books. She has authored and co-authored books including Chimpanzee Behaviour: Recent Understandings from Captivity and the Forest.

Book Recommendation: Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees (Living Planet Book)

124. What Can a Matriarchal Society Teach Us About Sex and Compassion? A Bonobo Perspective with Dr. Lori Gruen (S13)

93: Human Relevant Testing: A Conversation on Enhancing Human Health and Animal Welfare with Dr. Aysha Akhtar (S9)

47: Expressions of Emotion in Animals with Dr. Mariska Kret (S6)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Jake and Ava- New Book by Jonathan Balcombe