By Perry Beeman

Kanzi, a Des Moines resident bonobo known internationally for his communication skills, died Tuesday, most likely of heart disease, the Des Moines-based Ape Initiative reported.

Iowa State University is performing a necropsy. Kanzi, 44, was being treated for heart disease.

Kanzi could associate abstract symbols called lexigrams with various words and objects. He communicated with scientists and some visitors with the symbols. Scientists maintained that Kanzi knew some spoken English words, too. The extent of his language skills, versus advanced communication skills, has been the subject of scientific debate.

Kanzi attracted the attention of major media internationally. He interacted musically with performers including Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel. A documentary on his life is in the works.

He was the most famous of a bonobo colony still living at the Ape Initiative. The ape cognition research center near Easter Lake was founded by Des Moines businessman Ted Townsend as Great Ape Trust in 2002. The initial bonobos arrived in 2004.

Bonobos are great apes closely related to chimpanzees and humans.

Past coverage: Kanzi takes pride in his Book of Lists painting