A new study has revealed that, contrary to popular belief, humans actually do have emotions and experience pain when injured. Some of them pair bond and seem to show affection for their infants, and it was revealed that mothers and children show signs of missing one another when separated by their keepers.

Further studies are planned to determine if this species has the capacity to learn to make simple tools that could allow them to live independently, outside of enclosures. Evidence shows they would have to learn to trust one another, find ways to minimize aggression and not steal females and food.

A remarkable moment was captured on camera recently when one juvenile female shouted at a group of mature males, exhibiting signs of real intelligence and organized thought. Her display resulted in agitated threat responses from the males, and hoots of excitement from other juveniles.

Whether or not actual compassion is experienced by this species is yet to be determined, but it does seem possible. Having lived in captivity so long, they may require increased exposure to comforting expressions such as hugging, singing, swimming naked and sleeping in trees.

In time, their keepers hope they may be ready to be released back into the wild. They just have to grow up a little first.