Koko (gorilla)

Koko was a famous western lowland gorilla who changed how humans view animal intelligence.

Born on July 4, 1971, at the San Francisco Zoo, she was the daughter of Bwana and Jacqueline. Koko became a global symbol for her critically endangered species. Before her life in the spotlight, many people believed gorillas were brainless or violent. Koko's story helped transform the human world's view of animal emotion. She lived until June 19, 2018, leaving a massive impact on science and culture.

Francine Patterson was the researcher who worked most closely with Koko.

Patterson began her work with Koko at the San Francisco Zoo as part of her doctoral research at Stanford University. Because the zoo environment was noisy, Patterson and her partner, Ronald Cohn, used a trailer for signing sessions. Patterson eventually moved Koko to Stanford to continue the studies. To keep Koko, Patterson launched a "Save Koko" campaign. This campaign raised $3,000 in donations. Along with a wealthy benefactor, these funds allowed Patterson to maintain custody. She later founded the nonprofit Gorilla Foundation to manage Koko's care.

Koko communicated using a system called Gorilla Sign Language.

This system used signs adapted from American Sign Language (ASL). Because gorillas have thick, stubby fingers, they cannot move hands exactly like humans. Koko could understand nouns, verbs, and adjectives. She even grasped abstract concepts like "good" and "false." Patterson reported that Koko could invent new signs for new objects. For example, Koko combined "finger" and "bracelet" to create a sign for "ring."

Koko's linguistic abilities caused intense scientific debate.

Some experts, like Mary Lee Jensvold, stated Koko used language much like people do. However, the scientific consensus was different. Most scientists argued Koko lacked syntax. Syntax is the set of rules used to build grammatical sentences. Researchers like Herbert S. Terrace and Laura-Ann Petitto suggested Koko might have been mimicking trainers. They believed she responded to unconscious cues or used operant conditioning. This means she might have performed signs just to receive rewards.

Critics also raised concerns about how Koko's communication was interpreted.

Some researchers argued that the human handlers might have over-interpreted Koko's signs. For instance, if Koko signed "sad," it was unclear if she meant "how sad." Sign language expert Sherman Wilcox also criticized edited clips of Koko. He felt some media presentations were deceptive and disrespectful to the rules of ASL. Despite these debates, Koko remained one of the most studied animals in history. Her life forced scientists to reconsider the boundaries between human and animal communication.

Koko also became a major figure in popular media and literature.

She appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1978. She appeared again in 1985 with her kitten, All Ball. In 1985, Scholastic Inc. published the book "Koko's Kitten." This children's book became a best-seller. It described Koko's desire for a cat and her sadness after the kitten died. The book used Koko's signs, such as "cry" and "sleep," to tell the story.

There were also criticisms regarding the care provided at the Gorilla Foundation.

Former employees raised concerns about the diet and management of Koko and her companion, Ndume. Some staff members claimed Koko was given too much processed meat and candy. It was reported that Koko's weight was higher than normal for a female gorilla. The foundation responded by stating Koko had a larger frame, like her mother. In 2012, several staff members resigned due to these concerns. These disagreements highlighted the complexities of managing high-profile animals in research settings.