When Penny Patterson, then a young graduate student in the psychology department at Stanford University, first saw a tiny, emaciated gorilla cub at the San Francisco zoo, she had no idea that the sickly ape would one day become her constant companion and friend. And some time later, Koko, a western lowland gorilla, would become not only the most famous representative of her species but also an international celebrity. So who was Koko, and what influence did she have on all of humanity?
The ape learns to «speak»
Koko was born on July 4, 1971, and was given the name Hanabi-Ko (which translates from Japanese as «fireworks child»). After the little gorilla was rejected by her mother, Patterson agreed to care for the animal. As part of her doctoral dissertation in psychology, she was also permitted to teach the gorilla sign language. A year after Patterson's momentous meeting with Hanabi-Ko, the «Koko» project was launched. Two weeks later the animal was already able to use sign gestures to obtain food, drink and much more. And four decades later, Koko was able to actively use more than 100 signs of ASL (American Sign Language). She also understood more than 2,000 words of English and regularly expressed her thoughts and emotions in conversations with people.
Koko, an international celebrity
Throughout her (rather long for a gorilla) life, Koko repeatedly interacted with scientists, researchers, interviewers and even, one might say, the whole world. For example, the animal was once interviewed by National Geographic reporter Cynthia Gorney. Quickly growing attached to the young woman, Koko described the place where gorillas go when they die: «Comfortable hole, bye». Since the gorilla was intelligent enough to understand and use human language, Koko was able to show us what all great apes are capable of. Namely, to reason about their world, to love and to grieve for other creatures to whom they become attached.
Koko the gorilla's address to humanity
However, one of Koko's most striking messages in recent years was addressed to the leaders of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. In a video released by the conservation group Noé, Koko pleaded with people to help the planet before it was too late.
Her message from the video read: «I am gorilla… I am flowers, animals. I am nature. Koko love man. Koko love earth. But man stupid… Stupid! Koko sorry. Koko cries. Time hurry! Fix earth! Help earth! Hurry! Protect earth… Nature sees you. Thank you».
Although Koko's address received a great deal of approving feedback, it was not without criticism. Some called the clip «just a staged advertisement», while others expressed doubts about the video's authenticity. A number of researchers believed that even the most linguistically adept apes could not understand the relationship between humans and nature connected with climate change. But none of this changes the fact that Koko's ability to learn sign language was very astonishing and had a great influence on how people came to regard great apes.
Regardless of whether Koko had a good enough command of language to make such complex statements, this does not diminish their truth. It is more important than ever for humans to preserve, cherish and love the place where they live, develop and grow. We need to start taking better care of our Earth if people (and gorillas) want to live on a clean planet.
Koko died in her sleep on June 19, 2018, in California.
