Santino (chimpanzee)

Santino was a chimpanzee residing at Furuvik Zoo in Sweden who gained notoriety for his planning and premeditation of throwing stones at zoo visitors. His behavior challenges traditional views of animal cognition and suggests an ability to think about the future.

Santino's stone-throwing behavior was first observed in the late 1990s. Over time, he began to collect stones in the mornings, storing them in piles hidden around his enclosure. These piles were strategically placed in areas where visitors were likely to gather. He would then wait for an opportune moment to throw the stones at them.

Research conducted by Mathias Osvath demonstrated that Santino's behavior was not simply reactive, but involved planning. Osvath's research revealed that Santino would calmly collect and stockpile the stones well in advance of any perceived threat or provocation from visitors. Furthermore, Santino's behavior was particularly pronounced during the zoo's peak visiting hours.

To prevent Santino from harming visitors, zoo staff removed the stones from his enclosure each evening. However, Santino would find new materials, such as chunks of concrete from the enclosure walls, to use as projectiles. This demonstrated his adaptability and determination.

Santino's case is significant because it suggests that chimpanzees, and potentially other animals, are capable of complex cognitive processes previously thought to be unique to humans. Specifically, Santino's behavior suggests he could:

• Mental Time Travel: Recall past events and imagine future scenarios.
• Delay Gratification: Forego immediate gratification (relaxing and enjoying his environment) to prepare for a future opportunity (throwing stones at visitors).
• Plan and Execute: Develop a plan to achieve a goal and carry it out over time.

Santino's story has contributed significantly to the field of animal cognition and continues to spark debate about the extent of animal intelligence. He remained at Furuvik Zoo until his death in 2021.