Koko, the beloved gorilla who learned to communicate using sign language, has died at 46

[hlthe2b]

I love animals and especially the higher primates. Koko was amazing and I'm not ashamed to say I mourn her passing...

Officials said the western lowland gorilla — who befriended Mister Rogers, Betty White and Robin Williams — died in her sleep in Northern California.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/06/21/koko-the-beloved-gorilla-that-learned-to-communicate-using-sign-language-has-died/?utm_term=.e149aa918b8d

snip--
It was in San Francisco where the newborn gorilla met a budding animal psychologist, Francine “Penny” Patterson. By the next year, Patterson had started teaching the animal an adapted version of American Sign Language, which she dubbed “Gorilla Sign Language,” or GSL. Video footage from that time shows Patterson playing games with the young gorilla and trying to teach her a new way to communicate.
snip--
In any case, Koko was a unique ape that connected not only with humans but also with other animals.

She loved baby dolls. And kittens.

And she built relationships with Mister Rogers, Betty White and Robin Williams.

When Williams died in 2014, the Gorilla Foundation said that Koko took it hard.

After Patterson told Koko that Williams had died, the foundation said, “Koko was quiet and looked very thoughtful.” Later, the organization said, “Koko became very somber, with her head bowed and her lip quivering.”

In its 2014 article on apes, Slate further questioned whether Koko really understood the tragedy, noting: “Was Koko really mourning Robin Williams? How much are we projecting ourselves onto her and what are we reading into her behaviors? Animals perceive the emotions of the humans around them, and the anecdotes in the release could easily be evidence that Koko was responding to the sadness she sensed in her human caregivers.”

Following Koko’s death this week, the Gorilla Foundation said that she leaves a legacy.

“Koko’s capacity for language and empathy has opened the minds and hearts of millions,” the statement read. “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.”

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I feel so much more sadness over this death

than I would over MOST of the repugs in government offices.

[CrispyQ]

2. Rest in peace, Gentle One.

{Koko}

[bif]

3. How sad.

I didn't know she was still alive.

[Aristus]

4. She's gone to join her friends Robin Williams and Mr. Rogers.

I love gorillas. More than I love most people.

When I was a kid, watching the old 'Planet Of the Apes' films, I thought gorillas were ugly.

Now I know how beautiful they are.

'PotA' portrayed them as violent and sadistic. What a horrible lie...

[hlthe2b]

5. In honor of Koko, her meeting with Robin Williams:

to both Koko and Robin. RIP, you highest of primates!

[red dog 1]

6. I remember seeing Koko as a baby at the San Francisco zoo

The zoo had just finished the new outdoor Gorilla Pit.

R.I.P. Koko.

[Fla Dem]

7. RIP Big Girl. You did good.