Koko, the beloved gorilla who learned sign language, dies at 46

Get the Full StoryKoko, the beloved gorilla best known for mastering sign language, died in her sleep at age 46 on Wednesday.

The Gorilla Foundation announced Koko's death via social media on Thursday, saying she "touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy."

SEE ALSO: Animals are becoming nocturnal to avoid humans, and that could mean trouble

The Gorilla Foundation is sad to announce the passing of our beloved Koko https: t.co ers1vGAlQ3 https: t.co O3bvTDoQvE

— Gorilla Foundation kokotweets June 21, 2018

Koko, whose full name was Hanabi-ko meaning "Fireworks Child" in Japanese, was born on July 4, 1971. Over the years the western lowland gorilla learned more than 1,000 different signs, developed a love of cats, worked alongside many humans including sign language instructor Dr. Francine "Penny" Patterson, and inspired several documentaries and the popular children's book, Koko's Kitten. Read more...More about Animals, Culture, Koko The Gorilla, Culture, and Animals

Share: