A scientific report published in the journal Science suggests that imagination is not limited to humans. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the University of St. Andrews studied a captive bonobo named Kanzi to examine whether apes can understand make-believe situations. Imagination involves pretending that something is real while knowing it is not, and it is considered important for human creativity. Although some wild chimpanzees have shown similar behavior by using sticks as tools, this study provides the first formal evidence of such mental abilities in primates. The findings indicate that creative thinking may be a natural ability shared by several great ape species.

The investigation used social tests in which scientists poured invisible liquid into containers. Kanzi correctly chose the container meant to hold the liquid in 68 percent of the trials, showing an understanding of abstract ideas. To confirm that the bonobo was not confused, researchers offered a choice between real juice and an imaginary version. Kanzi selected the real juice in 80 percent of the cases, demonstrating a clear difference between reality and pretense. However, some experts, including Michael Tomasello, argue that more evidence is needed to prove full imaginative understanding. They also note that laboratory conditions may influence behavior. Despite these concerns, the study is considered an important step in animal psychology research.