Koko Dies at Age 46

The western lowland gorilla Koko, who redrew the lines of animal-human communication, died in his sleep at age 46.  Koko taught us about the emotional capacity of gorillas and their cognitive abilities. Koko was chosen in 1978 to be the center of a language research program.  Through the course of the many years, and with the help of researchers and the American Sign Language organization, Koko learned over 1,000 signs and understood more than 2,000 words.

Koko was very social.  When she met Robin Williams, she became very playful.  She enjoyed his clownish behavior, taking off his glasses and putting them on.  When Robin died in 2014, Koko grieved along with millions of his friends and fans.  Koko remembered seeing some of his movies, and when he was told Robin Williams died, he let out a loud wail, which is how gorillas show emotional pain.  He had a close relationship with his teachers and keepers.

His best buddy was Ball, a kitten who he adored.  They were together for many years, but Ball was hit by a car and killed.  (How could such a thing happen?).  Koko was despondent.

Koko could also play the recorder, information that scientists found very interesting.  Until this finding, scientists did not know that primates had the ability to control the in and out of breathing, which is necessary to play the recorder.  Koko also like to paint and listen to music.

It's hard not to see the direct correlation between primates and man after seeing both the behavior of primates in the wild and what they can learn in captivity.  They are our closest relatives and we will continue to study them .