Koko (gorilla)
Early Life and Background
Koko was a female western lowland gorilla who was born at the San Francisco Zoo on July 4, 1971. Her full name, Hanabi-Ko, is Japanese for "Fireworks Child," a reference to her birth date. Koko was the 50th gorilla born in captivity and one of the first gorillas accepted by her mother in captivity. Koko remained with her mother until the age of six months when she was taken to the zoo's nursery after her mother fell ill.
Communication Skills
Koko was known for her advanced communication skills. She was the subject of a long-term project to teach gorillas sign language. Dr. Francine Patterson, a graduate student in developmental psychology, began working with Koko in 1972, teaching her American Sign Language (ASL). Koko quickly picked up the language, demonstrating the cognitive sophistication of gorillas.
Koko's vocabulary was reported to include more than 1,000 signs, and she understood approximately 2,000 words of spoken English. Her communication skills were not limited to ASL; she also used a form of communication known as "Gorilla Sign Language" (GSL), a variant of ASL. Koko's ability to comprehend and use language challenged the notion that language use is unique to humans.
Intelligence and Emotional Depth
Koko displayed a high level of intelligence and emotional depth throughout her life. She was reported to score between 70 and 95 on human IQ tests, a range considered normal for a human child. Koko also demonstrated the ability to recognize herself in a mirror, a trait shared by only a few other animal species.
Koko's emotional depth was evident in her interactions with humans and other gorillas. She was known to express a range of emotions, including joy, sadness, and empathy. Koko also showed signs of grief when her pet cat, All Ball, died. She signed "sad, frown, cry, bad, trouble" upon learning of All Ball's death, indicating an understanding of death and the ability to express grief.
Impact on Science and Culture
Koko's life had a significant impact on both scientific understanding of gorillas and broader cultural perceptions of these animals. Her ability to use sign language and demonstrate complex emotional responses challenged traditional views of animal intelligence and emotional capacity. Koko's interactions with humans, documented in numerous videos and photographs, helped to foster empathy for gorillas and other endangered species.
Koko's life and achievements have been the subject of several books and documentaries, including "Koko: A Talking Gorilla" and "Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People." These works have contributed to a greater public understanding of gorillas and the threats they face in the wild.
Death and Legacy
Koko died in her sleep on June 19, 2018, at the age of 46. Her death was announced by The Gorilla Foundation, which stated that Koko "touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy."
Koko's legacy continues through the work of The Gorilla Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and study of gorillas. The foundation continues to promote Koko's message of empathy and conservation, aiming to ensure the survival of gorillas in the wild.