Chimp that learnt sign language dies

WASHOE, a female chimpanzee believed to be the first non-human to acquire human language, has died of natural causes at a Washington state research institute.

Washoe had learned American sign language in a research project in Nevada and died at Washington University’s Ellensburg campus, said institute co-founders Roger and Deborah Fouts.

She was born in Africa in 1965. A memorial is planned for November 12.