“The Gorilla Foundation is sad to announce the passing of our beloved Koko,” the research center says, informing the world about the death of a gorilla who fascinated and elated millions of people with her facility for language.
Koko, who was 46, died in her sleep Tuesday morning, the Gorilla Foundation said. At birth, she was named Hanabi-ko — Japanese for “fireworks child,” because she was born at the San Francisco Zoo on the Fourth of July in 1971. She was a western lowland gorilla.
“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 Gorilla Foundation said.
Throughout her life, Koko’s abilities made headlines. After she began communicating with humans through American Sign Language, she was featured by National Geographic — and she took her own picture (in a mirror) for the magazine’s cover.
That cover came out in 1978, seven years after Koko was chosen as an infant to work on a language research project with the psychologist Francine “Penny” Patterson. In 1985, the magazine profiled the affectionate relationship between the gorilla and her kitten: Koko and All Ball.
In 2001, Koko made a fast friend in comedian Robin Williams, trying on his glasses, showing him around and getting him to tickle her. Then they made faces at each other — and the gorilla seemed to recall seeing Williams in a movie. Years later, in 2014, Koko was one of many who mourned Williams’ passing.
Koko amazed scientists in 2012, when she showed she could learn to play the recorder. The feat revealed mental acuity but also, crucially, that primates can learn to intricately control their breathing — something that had been assumed to be beyond their abilities.
Her ability to interact with people made Koko an international celebrity. But she also revealed the depth and strength of a gorilla’s emotional life, sharing moments of glee and sadness with researchers Patterson and Ron Cohn.
As Barbara J. King wrote for NPR about the BBC documentary Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks, when it aired on PBS in 2016:
“Famously, Koko felt quite sad in 1984 when her adopted kitten Ball was hit by a car and died. How do we know? Here is nonhuman primate grief mediated through language: In historical footage in the film, Patterson is seen asking Koko, “What happened to Ball?” In reply, Koko utters these signs in sequence: cat, cry, have-sorry, Koko-love. And then, after a pause, two more signs: unattention, visit me.”
m99
Aw, sorry to hear she’s passed on. That’s a great article too. Thanks for sharing that Wes.
Asheim
Oh so sad to hear she’s passed. I loved Koko and hearing about her abilities. She was a pioneer. Thanks for sharing Wes.
Cassandra S
There was Koko. And there was Travis. People, be wise and remember: they are animals, not humans. Ask Charla Nash.
Travis the Chimpanzee
Travis was a male common chimpanzee who gained posthumous infamy after he attacked and nearly killed a woman in North Stamford, Connecticut. In February 2009, Travis and his owner Sandra Herold gained international notoriety after he suddenly attacked Herold’s friend Charla Nash and grievously mauled her, blinding her while severing her nose, ears, and both hands, and severely lacerating her face. He was subsequently shot dead upon the arrival of the police after he tried to attack an officer.
https://youtu.be/FOFCuyNMHLU
https://youtu.be/6inhUFpQnOo
Sasquatch Chronicles is a great forum for truth and discussion. Thank you Wes Germer.
Janet B
So sorry to hear this today….it’s been a hard one and this just made it worse. I supported Penny and Koko for many years, and
only wish it could have been more…..Koko was a wonder and a sweetheart…she’ll be sadly missed.
Thank you Wes, for posting this…it just highlights your own compassion….kudos!
Jan B
Wes
I agree Koko was something special and if people watch the videos of her and there has been many, it makes you wonder what makes us human. I watched one many years back where Koko was trying to escape and the Penny caught her and asked her what she was doing and Koko signed back “I’m going out for a smoke” which blew my mind because she had seen humans go out for a smoke
Wolf
Oh no… that is sad.
Koko was the best Advocate and Diplomat for animals the world has so far seen, proving once and for all that animals are intelligent, thoughtful and compassionate… just like humans.
It always niggles my annoyance levels when people separate humans from the animal world as if we are something distinct from and ‘above’ nature.
Koko brought us all back to reality… we are ALL animals.
… she will be sadly missed…
Steven B
Sad, but I would imagine she was old in “gorilla years”.
“Koko amazed scientists in 2012, when she showed she could learn to play the recorder…— something that had been assumed to be beyond their abilities.”
I find that some scientists assume a lot of things…how many times do they need to be humbled?
Charles R
Ain’t that the truth. I remember as a youngster in the 60s, the scientific thought on dogs and the whole animal kingdom was so negative on an animals perceived abilities and their emotions. They have all been blasted away over the years. Of course this is some of the same thinking that the Sasquatch does not exist simply because it can not be so.