Slideshows:

• Meet Panbanisha
• Panbanisha and Mr. Potato Head
• Visit with Panbanisha prompts VIP guests to ponder what it is to be human

Videos:

• Panbanisha with lexigram

• Panbanisha Draws Coffee

• Panbanisha and the dog

Panbanisha

Name means "cleave together for the purpose of contrast" in Swahili

Birthday: November 17, 1985

Born Where: Language Research Center at Georgia State University, Atlanta

Lived Where: Language Research Center, 1985-2005; Great Ape Trust of Iowa, 2005-present

Children: Nyota and Nathan (2000-2009)

Favorite Food: Eggs

Favorite Toys: Modeling clay, rubber snakes

Favorite Activities: Watching television, especially videotapes of her family and human friends; sharing secrets (both telling and hearing)

Favorite Games: Hide-and-seek, scaring people with masks

What makes Panbanisha unique?

Like her half-brother Kanzi, Panbanisha became linguistically competent without specific training, and her language comprehension and production skills are the most advanced of all the bonobos at Great Ape Trust. She began using the keyboard earlier than Kanzi, and has progressed further. Panbanisha also is a courteous host, very much a "lady" from the way she conducts to the way she eats: properly, with utensils. Panbanisha sometimes shares her food with caretakers if she feels it is very good, or if she’d like for them to try it first.