Anne Russon, a cognitive ecologist and professor of psychology in York’s Glendon College, spoke about orangutans’ ability to communicate using mime, on CBC Radio’s “Quirks & Quarks” Sept. 18.

You can listen to Russon's interview with host Bob McDonald on Quirks & Quarks' Website.  The interview begins at the 1:30 mark.

Russon has observed 18 cases of orangutans in Borneo using mime to communicate both simple and complex messages.  In one example, an orangutan asked a researcher for help cracking open a coconut by acting out the motions required.  Another wanted to share the memory of having had a researcher remove a sliver from a foot by repeatedly miming the action.  It is thought that this form of communication among these great apes could provide a clue to the origins of human language.

Related Links, courtesy of CBC online:

• Paper in Biology Letters
• Original news release from the Research Website
• Science News (with video of the coconut incident)

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, with files courtesy of YFile– York University’s daily e-bulletin.