Sign-language-using chimp dies of hernia problem

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — Moja, one of the "talking" chimps at Central Washington University who communicated with humans by means of sign language, has died at the age of 29 of complications from an abdominal hernia.

Moja died June 6. She was one of five chimps at the university's Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute, a sanctuary for adult chimpanzees who communicate with humans and each other using American Sign Language.