BBC claims Chimpanzees and Monkeys have reached the stone age

Thats a video of Kanzi the Bonobo, reputed to be able to build and start his own fire and toast his own marshmallows. Kanzi has been living in an Ape Language Research and Conservation Centre since his early years, having being born at a university. Kanzi's adoptive parent had been presented with communication tools during his early development years and Kanzi appeared to have learnt from being present, attempting to communicate spontaneously with 'Lexigrams' or communication tools that were available at the time. His capacity and abilities were recognised from there. Kanzi has now been known to cook his own omelettes, understand how to play Pacman and dance.

In the past we have seen chimpanzees learn sign language after being in the company of humans long enough. We have so far learnt that we can communicate with each other but is there more? Kanzi has only lived in captivity and has had access to tools and learning so we have been able to see his potential but what about animals that live in the wild that make the most of what they have and need and don't have exposure to much else?

BBC released and article in 2015 which indicates evidence that chimpanzees, capuchins and macaques in the wild have their own stone tools of use that is similar to our previous early human behaviour. When I mean early I mean at least a little over 4000 years ago by way of humanoid archeological evidence. That link to the BBC story can be found here at http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150818-chimps-living-in-the-stone-age.

National Geographic has written about this too at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070213-chimps-tools.html

Are we looking at a 'Planet of the Apes' scenario? Well, without the genetic engineering required to stumble us into the downward direction of fear needed to worry about that it definitely doesn't look like it. We do however need to be considerate of the development of these beings and perhaps even consider their potential. What else can they figure out if they gets their hands on it? Somethings make more sense after a being has an opportunity to understand them.....