Intelligence
The anatomy of the chimpanzee brain and central nervous system is startlingly similar to our own. It should not be surprising, then, that chimpanzees (along with gorillas and bonobos) are capable of intellectual performances once thought unique to humans. Wild chimps use sophisticated cooperation in hunting. They use tools for more purposes than any other being, save humans. And chimps show the beginning of even more sophisticated tool-making behaviour.
Chimpanzees are capable of reasoned thought, abstraction and have a concept of self. Chimps use reasoned thought when they process information and use their memory, for example when finding fruit according to what season it is. Chimps are capable of generalization and symbolic representation, as they are able to group symbols together, and some chimps have even learned how to use American Sign Language. Chimps also have a “concept of self”, which refers to an individual’s perception of their being in relation to others. An interesting test that is often used is to see if an animal recognizes themselves in mirrors – chimps can do this, while most other animals cannot!
Those who have worked closely with chimpanzees agree that they feel and express emotions such as sadness and happiness, fear and despair—and they know mental as well as physical pain.
Emotions
Dr. Goodall discovered that chimpanzees displayed a wide range of complex emotions that were once thought to be uniquely human. For instance, chimpanzees clearly exhibit emotions such as joy, sadness, fear and despair. Chimps have also been found to possess an almost human-like enjoyment of physical contact, laughter, and community.
These emotions have been evidenced particularly in chimpanzees, moreso than other mammals, due to their facial expressions and their facial musculature that is so similar to ours.
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