Gorilla Koko, ambassador for interspecies communication, has died at 46

[battlecrops]

https://www.npr.org/2018/06/21/622160278...munication




http://time.com/5318391/koko-gorilla-dead/




"Koko, a western lowland gorilla known for her impressive sign language skills, died in her sleep Tuesday morning at the age of 46, The Gorilla Foundation has reported.  As well as her communication prowess, Koko was known for looking after her pet, All Ball, an abandoned kitten she received as a birthday present from researchers.




“Koko touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy. She was beloved and will be deeply missed,” the foundation statement read. The organization reported it will focus its efforts on wildlife conservation in Africa, a sign language app and a great ape sanctuary in Maui following Koko's death."

[Bear28]

This is a sad sad day

[Dane layer]

I remember when robin williams meet her, it is such a sad day indeed

[VGR]

I don’t know if this is true, but I heard her handlers tried many times to get her to hook up with a male gorilla, but she never mated with any of them.  She would sign to them, things like “walk up my bottom“ (which is as good as any porn dialog I’ve ever heard), but obviously they didn’t understand.




One day, a keeper asked Koko what sort of mate she would prefer.  Koko pointed to a shirtless grounds worker.




I’d like to think it was true.  I also wish I could have had an hour or so of private time with Koko.  Not only was she a symbol of intellect, but also of the capacity for love.

[covfefelake]

8 hours ago, VGR said:




I don’t know if this is true, but I heard her handlers tried many times to get her to hook up with a male gorilla, but she never mated with any of them.  She would sign to them, things like “walk up my bottom“ (which is as good as any porn dialog I’ve ever heard), but obviously they didn’t understand.




One day, a keeper asked Koko what sort of mate she would prefer.  Koko pointed to a shirtless grounds worker.




I’d like to think it was true.  I also wish I could have had an hour or so of private time with Koko.  Not only was she a symbol of intellect, but also of the capacity for love.

You know, I've heard every part of that story but the shirtless groundworker part.




It makes perfect sense though.




and wow, I got news from this place that is relevant to my interests...  cool.  I mean except for her dying.  That's tragic.  and now I'm sad.




Don't you guys have like, puppy news or something?

[Andrew-R]

..Literally dusts off "The Education of Koko"" book ..While I definitely lost big part of my 'faith' in books since those times I was buying such literature (just 2013-14, because 'not from America')