Robert Allen Gardner (1930-2021).

Memorializes Robert Allen Gardner (1930-2021). Gardner and his late wife and research partner, Beatrix "Trixie" Gardner, are best known for their ground-breaking cross-fostering project with the chimpanzee Washoe, the first nonhuman to learn a human language (American Sign Language). Between 1972 and 198, Allen and Trixie replicated their success with four additional infant chimpanzees. Allen cofounded and was a psychology fellow of the Center for Advanced Studies at the University of Nevada in Reno, and served as director from 1990 to 1993. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Use of gesture sequences in captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) play.

This study examined the use of sensory modalities relative to a partner's behavior in gesture sequences during captive chimpanzee play at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute. We hypothesized that chimpanzees would use visual gestures toward attentive recipients and auditory/tactile gestures toward inattentive recipients. We also hypothesized that gesture sequences would be more prevalent toward unresponsive rather than responsive recipients. The chimpanzees used significantly more auditory/tactile rather than visual gestures first in sequences with both attentive and inattentive recipients. They rarely used visual gestures toward inattentive recipients. Auditory/tactile gestures were effective with and used with both attentive and inattentive recipients. Recipients responded significantly more to single gestures than to first gestures in sequences. Sequences often indicated that recipients did not respond to initial gestures, whereas effective single gestures made more gestures unnecessary. The chimpanzees thus gestured appropriately relative to a recipient's behavior and modified their interactions according to contextual social cues.

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) responses to caregiver use of chimpanzee behaviors.

The relationships between captive primates and their caregivers are critical ones and can affect animal welfare. Friendly relationships can improve quality of life; adversely, agonistic relationships can decrease quality of life. Caregivers in and of themselves should not be stressful to their charges, instead the caregivers' behaviors and the nature of their interactions with captive primates is likely the basis for the stress. One method to promote positive relationships in the captive environment is for caregivers to employ species-specific behaviors in their interactions with their charges. This study tested the effect of caregivers' use of these behaviors with chimpanzees at The Zoo Northwest Florida in Gulf Breeze. The chimpanzee participants were three males. Data collection occurred during typical interactions between the human participants and the chimpanzees. Some days the caregiver presented chimpanzee behaviors and vocalizations (CB-Chimpanzee Behavior Condition) in the data collection interactions with the chimpanzees. On other days the caregiver presented human behaviors and used speech (HB-Human Behavior Condition) in the interactions with the chimpanzees. The interactions were videotaped. Data coders recorded the behavioral contexts for each chimpanzee as they occurred on the videotape and the time that each context began. Overall they engaged in significantly more friendly behaviors such as play in CB than in HB. They were significantly less interactive in HB than CB. Caregivers should understand and employ species-specific interactions with chimpanzees to promote friendly interactions and animal welfare. Zoo Biol 27:345-359, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.