Frans de Waal, the primatologist who connected the essences of humans and apes, dies. The Dutch naturalist, one of the world figures in evolutionary biology, became very popular by explaining the intelligence and empathy of animals without losing scientific rigor.

His family confirmed his death on Saturday to the Dutch newspaper NRC, explaining that the cause of his death was stomach cancer. The publication in 1982 of his book The Politics of Chimpanzees (Alianza Editorial, 1993) made him famous.