Chimpanzees and bonobos have great memories for familiar faces.

Research now suggests that these apes can recognize members of their own species. Not just day to day or month to month. These animals recognized others even after more than 26 years apart. That sets a new record for the longest known social memory in any non-human animal. Until now, the record was held by dolphins. They can recognize each other’s voices after 20 years apart.

Researchers shared the new findings December 18. The work appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

JoAnna Wendel