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Orangutans Invent Deceptive 'Kiss Squeak'

Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News

Photos

An individual through "trial and error" probably first invented this whoopee cushion-like orangutan tool, Hardus believes. The innovation then "spread locally and became cultural."

Rob Shumaker, a scientist at the Great Ape Trust of Iowa, told Discovery News, "I firmly agree with the tool use portion of the study."

"As for deception," he added, "I think that Hardus et al. provide a very careful and logically constructed argument that propel the discussion of 'theory of mind' forward most appropriately."

"Theory of mind" asks whether or not an individual recognizes and can keep track of information among individuals in their group, and whether or not they can attribute psychological states, such as fear or aggression, to their peers.

"As threats to orangutan survival continue in Sumatra and Borneo -- the only two islands the Asian ape still inhabits -- and as their numbers continue to decline, orangutans continue to surprise scientists," Hardus said.

She added, "After studying them for years, and despite language being considered the hallmark of mankind, this study clearly indicates that ape communication abilities have been traditionally undervalued."

Both she and Shumaker hope conservation efforts will, as Hardus concluded, "lead to the survival of this emblematic species," permitting experts to study and better understand orangutans, paving the way to additional discoveries that can "also open doors to understanding the evolution of our own species."

Related Links:

Jennifer Viegas' Blog: Born Animal

New Orangutan Population Found in Indonesia

Orangutans Threatened by Corporate Logging