Ep 2. The Ape Who Went to College

In the second episode of My Wild Affair season 1, viewers are introduced to a unique story about a chimpanzee named Viki who was raised as a human child by a couple in Oklahoma during the 1960s. Viki was taught sign language and was able to communicate with her adopted family effectively. The episode explores the intricacies of Viki's upbringing and her ultimate transition to a research facility where her intelligence was studied.

The episode begins with a brief introduction into Viki's early life, where she was taken in by Mary and Maurice Temerlin, who were psychologists at the University of Oklahoma at the time. The couple raised Viki as their own child, treating her as they would a human child and even dressing her in clothing. Viki was taught how to perform basic tasks and was able to communicate with her adopted family through sign language.

As Viki grew older, the Temerlins began to realize that her intelligence was exceptional and that she had the potential for groundbreaking educational and cognitive research. Viki was eventually moved to a research facility where she was studied by a team of researchers who wanted to better understand the chimpanzee's intelligence.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to the researchers who worked with Viki and saw first-hand the incredible abilities that she possessed. The researchers conducted numerous tests on Viki, including tests that involved pattern recognition, problem-solving, and communication.

Despite her incredible intelligence, Viki's time at the research facility was not without challenges. She often struggled with behavioral issues, and her isolation from other primates meant that she never fully integrated into a chimpanzee social structure. Furthermore, her unusual upbringing and ability to communicate via sign language created a unique ethical problem for the researchers who worked with her.

The episode concludes with a discussion of Viki's legacy and her impact on the field of animal cognition research. Viki's story ultimately highlights the complex ethical considerations surrounding the use of animals in research.

Overall, The Ape Who Went to College is a fascinating and thought-provoking episode that explores the remarkable life of Viki, a chimpanzee who was raised as a human. The episode raises important questions about the ethics of animal research and the intelligence of non-human animals.