Koko [Hanibi-Ko] was adopted by Francine Penny Patterson (president and coofundadora of the Gorilla Foundation) in 1971, when he was a year old. He currently lives with Patterson and other researchers at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, California. It communicates using the GSL (Sign Language of the Gorilla), an adaptation of sign language. And, even the gorillas do not live in captivity, have their own natural language of gestures.
Now Koko uses to communicate with their caregivers, their human family, about 1000 signs, know how to ask to play with dolls, watching television, drawing or playing with cats .... Includes about 2000 words of human language (English) and the results of intelligence tests show an IQ (intelligence quotient) between 70-95 on the human scale (given that 100 is considered "normal").
The Gorilla Foundation seeks to demonstrate his experiments the huge intelligence of gorillas in order to break new ground in the treatment of animals in captivity, strengthening efforts conditions to preserve wildlife. The "Project Koko" has shown that an animal can possess qualities that were once considered uniquely human, such as a complex mental process, imagination and feelings.
books Koko loves cats, and one of his favorites is the three kittens. When Penny asked Koko what she wanted for her birthday (July 4), she asked for a cat: he was impressed by the illustrations of the books I had been reading The three kittens and Puss in Boots ... Penny then gave a stuffed kitten, but Koko said, "RED", a word used to express their anger; was very sad, because that was just a puppet ... And Patterson knew that I wanted was a real cat.
In 1984, he took three kittens to choose. She approached her face, I sniffed deeply, one by one, saying "I LIKE." When asked what his favorite, Koko pointed to the little gray tabby male who had no tail, "THIS." Patterson thought he had chosen because it had no tail, and maybe that made him more like a gorilla. He named Koko: All Ball.
At first, Patterson took care of All Ball in his trailer and took him to Koko every evening at six, before the gorilla went to sleep. Koko was always sweet and loving with All Ball, was called "Baby", took him in her lap, or hung from his neck and licked the kitten purring in her arms and adopting it as their mother. Koko washed and caressed All Ball, keeping them very clean their eyes, ears and mouth. Actually, who discovered the mites in his ears ...!
a kitten All Ball was aggressive, and he used to bite Koko playing, but she never bothered nor punished. Patterson explained that Koko really loved All Ball, despite being one of the most mischievous, nervous and biting kittens. One night, Patterson asked Koko to tell him a story about All Ball and Koko simply said: "KOKO AMA BALL" ...
Sometimes, All Ball was left with Koko in her cage, under the supervision of Patterson. But a sad day, All Ball escaped and was hit by a car, dying instantly. Patterson Koko had to explain what had happened, and never again see All Ball ... Koko began to mourn, with the tears of gorillas pounding, painful, loud, a long series of high-pitched cries. Patterson wept. Koko
still remembers his grief at the loss of All Ball, and says "sad" when he sees a cat that looks like him.
Despite the loss of their beloved All Ball, Koko was still a devout lover of cats. Patterson heard the mother of All Ball was pregnant and when the kittens were old enough, took the entire litter Koko's cage to know them. Everyone thought that Koko would choose one of two kittens that had tailed the group, but surprisingly, Koko pointed to the tiniest, a kitten, black and white but with a tail. Koko placed the kitten on his chest, cradled him and called him "Baby", kissing and embracing. He also liked a gray cat, tail, with whom she was fooling around saying "KOKO AMA."
Kitty black and white and gray kitten Koko was the favorite, but had to be decided. Koko took his time, taking in both arms and over again, but whenever she left in the ground to the gray kitten, she was quick to climb on his shoulder. The black and white kitten, however, seemed to show much interest. Finally, Koko took the very difficult decision: he put his finger on the huge snout of black and white kitten stared at him saying "NO". Then took the gray kitten in his arms and carried her to her room. It was clear that Koko had a clear preference for tailless kittens! Koko decided to call his little companion "SMOKE", and thus kept Smoky name. Smoky has been since always with Koko.
In April 2000, Michael, another gorilla who had lived since 1976 at the Gorilla Foundation, Koko's good friend, died suddenly of a heart attack. Apart from Koko, was the only gorilla in captivity who had learned the GSL, knew more than 500 words, liked to paint, listen to music and had a sweet and wonderful. It was a terrible misfortune for everyone. Koko became depressed. They decided that perhaps was encouraged if they brought a group of kittens from the Peninsula Humane Society (San Mateo, California) to visit. Koko became enamored of a small four weeks, Moe, whom he called "Baby" as they rocked, stroked and purring chuckle. Moe is now also a celebrity ...
Like any responsible and conscious lover of felines, Koko is working with the Humane Society in their campaigns to encourage adoptions of cats. And on the other hand, visits the kittens and Smoky company help you keep your emotional balance. The Gorilla Foundation is considering adopting a new kitten to make happy and serve Koko Smoky company. Like many cat lovers know, a single cat is never enough ...
Koko has shown the world that all animals, whether human, cats and gorillas are capable of thinking, feeling and loving, and all creatures deserve our respect. There is a message to give to new generations, we are all one, and that the animals probably have the same capabilities as humans until now believed to have exclusive possession. For Dr. Patterson, Koko's experience has opened doors to explore the complexity of the emotions of all animals (not forgetting that we are, too.) People who live with animals know what they are perceptive pets, and how it is, indeed, perfectly distinct individuals with character and personality.
Dr. Patterson is the author of best-seller Kitty Koko, whose introduction says: " The koko story continues to fascinate humans because Koko has become an ambassador for animal rights in a world of humans. The story of his life teaches us that every species needs a space in the world and has the right to survive .
In this sense, Koko helps us understand that my cat, your cat, your cat and all cats the world have to live and be treated with respect .
Brad Kollus
Cats magazine, February 2000
pp. 26-30
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