A gorilla Koko is famed for its ability to converse in sign language. Koko’s real name was Hanabi-Ko, Japanese for fireworks child. She was born on July 4, 1971, at the San Francisco Zoo. According to the Gorilla Foundation, Koko knows over 1,000 words in sign language and understands over 2,000 words of spoken English. Besides, she became a mother after “adopting” two adorable kittens.
On her birthday in July 1984, she was given a gray kitten. She named the cat All Ball and carried him around like a baby. Unfortunately, All Ball got out of Koko’s cage and was hit by a car just a few months later. KoKo began crying and kept “mourning” the original cat years later.
On Koko’s 44th birthday in 2015, Patterson let her pick out two new pets from a litter of kittens. Koko’s maternal instincts kicked in immediately as she interacted with the tiny kittens. The cats, Ms. Gray and Ms. Black, are very close to Koko, and they are always ready to snuggle up together when nap time rolls around. After adopting two kittens, Koko has been more energized and is “signing more than ever.”
In a conversation, Koko had with another caretaker: “The caregiver showed Koko a skeleton and asked, ‘Is this alive or dead?’ Koko signed, ‘Dead, draped.’ ‘Draped’ means ‘covered up.’ Then the caregiver asked, ‘Where do animals go when they die?’ Koko said, ‘A comfortable hole.’ Then she gave a kiss goodbye.” Koko the gorilla passed away at the age of 46 in June 2018.
Although Koko passed away, her love will always be in our hearts! Check out the video and please with your friends and family!
H/T: Animals Channel