Koko the Gorilla Has Died at the Age of 46

Born in a San Francisco zoo, Koko was an amazing gorilla. She was taught sign language by Stanford University researchers and had mastered over 1000 words, enabling her to freely communicate with humans. What is even more incredible, is that she understood over 2000 human words!






https://koko.org


RMS

rip koko...so much was learned

wasn't she the one with a pet cat, a kitten she named "allball" in sign language? i remember reading about her years ago...

Koko.....what a trip.

She was a sweetheart RIP Koko

Koko & Her Kittens and Hanging Out With Flea

Koko & Her Kittens and Hanging Out With Flea

armedoldhippy said:

wasn't she the one with a pet cat, a kitten she named "allball" in sign language? i remember reading about her years ago...

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I wanted to post this initially this morning but was unable to. So many people had accessed the sight (koko.org), the server crashed.




June 20, 2018

PRESS RELEASE for Immediate Release

The Gorilla Foundation is sad to announce the passing of our beloved Koko

Woodside, CA Koko — the gorilla known for her extraordinary mastery of sign language, and as the primary ambassador for her endangered species — passed away yesterday morning in her sleep at the age of 46.

Koko touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy. She was beloved and will be deeply missed.

Koko, a western lowland gorilla, was born Hanabi-ko (Japanese for “Fireworks Child”) on July 4, 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo. Dr. Francine “Penny” Patterson began working with Koko the next year, famously teaching her sign language. Dr. Patterson and Dr. Ronald Cohn moved Koko and the project to Stanford in 1974 and went on to establish The Gorilla Foundation. While at Stanford the project expanded to include a second western lowland gorilla, Michael. In 1979 Koko and The Gorilla Foundation moved to the Santa Cruz Mountains where Ndume joined them as a fellow ambassador for their species.

Koko’s capacity for language and empathy has opened the minds and hearts of millions. She has been featured in multiple documentaries and appeared on the cover of National Geographic twice. The first cover, in October of 1978, featured a photograph Koko had taken of herself in a mirror. The second issue, in January of 1985, included the story of Koko and her kitten, All Ball. Following the article, the book Koko’s Kitten was published and continues to be used in elementary schools worldwide. Her impact has been profound and what she has taught us about the emotional capacity of gorillas and their cognitive abilities will continue to shape the world.

The foundation will continue to honor Koko’s legacy and advance our mission with ongoing projects including conservation efforts in Africa, the great ape sanctuary on Maui, and a sign language application featuring Koko for the benefit of both gorillas and children.

For press inquiries or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Koko Fund, please contact Joy Chesbrough, The Gorilla Foundation’s Chief Development Officer, at: 1-800-ME-GO-APE ext 14.
For general inquiries and condolences, please email kokolove@koko.org




RMS

RIP Koko...

Zoos are despicable places.

About 20 years ago I went to the Toronto Zoo with the kids. We walked in to see the gorillas. I sat next to a window that was as thick as bullet proof glass. A gorilla came over and sat in front of me, looked me in the eye and just sat there watching me. Looking for a reaction from me.

When I say "looked me in the eye" I mean it was like a human looking at me. I swore I would NEVER visit a zoo again. Zoos are a remnant of the 1900s and we don't need them. Close them, and ban them.

We have the internet and TV to see wild animals. Little Johnny doesn't need to see a live elephant.

I was curious about the average life span of a Western Lowland Gorilla. According to wiki they live 30-40 years in the wild (if they aren't poached) 40- 60 in captivity..


Koko was on the lower end of life span for captivity, but I would imagine even though she was kind to humans, she was probably subjected to a lot of stress compared to an average captive gorilla

Wasn't Koko the same gorilla that had that special bond with Robin Williams?

Midnight Tokar said:

Wasn't Koko the same gorilla that had that special bond with Robin Williams?

Click to expand...

Midnight Tokar said:

Wasn't Koko the same gorilla that had that special bond with Robin Williams?

Click to expand...

Yes! Also, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers had an encounter with Koko and tried to teach him the bass. Primates are such magnificent creatures and it kills me to see them in captivity. I've seen videos of apes and chimps recognizing their caretakers decades later. Humans really do suck.