Kat signed to her. Washoe looked down to the ground. Then she looked into Kat's eyes and signed CRY, touching her cheek just below her eye. That single word, CRY, Kat later said, told her more about Washoe than all of her longer, more grammatically perfect sentences. When Kat had to leave that day, Washoe wouldn't let her go.
Chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas or orangutans.
They are as closely related to us as they are to bonobos, a second species of chimp sometimes called pygmy chimpanzees. As Roger Fouts recounts his experiences visiting various research facilities throughout the country, it becomes clear why he wrote this book. Yes, the stories of Washoe growing up are entertaining, and Dr. Fouts' accounts of how Washoe and the other chimps he studied learned to communicate are fascinating. However, most importantly, Dr. Fouts wants us to know how appallingly chimpanzees and other research animals are treated. Next of Kin is a wake-up call for anyone who cares about animals.