I Love Animals
Koko, the beloved gorilla who learned to communicate using sign language, has died at 46
Washington Post
June 20, 2018
Officials said Koko - the western lowland gorilla who befriended Mister Rogers, Betty White, and Robin Williams - died in her sleep in Northern California.
(From the WaPo article)
It was in San Francisco where the newborn 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.
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."
Read entire article, see photos,
Google:
"Koko, the beloved gorilla that learned to communicate using sign language, has died"
Washington Post
June 20, 2018
Officials said Koko - the western lowland gorilla who befriended Mister Rogers, Betty White, and Robin Williams - died in her sleep in Northern California.
(From the WaPo article)
It was in San Francisco where the newborn 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.
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."
Read entire article, see photos,
Google:
"Koko, the beloved gorilla that learned to communicate using sign language, has died"
