Koko Gets Help
from Robin Williams in
Urging Public to Save Gorillas from
Extinction
Woodside, CA – March
8, 2004 –Koko, a gorilla
famous for her communication skills
and love of kittens, and acclaimed actor
and comedian Robin Williams share the
spotlight in a new ad campaign. This
program is designed to help the Gorilla
Foundation raise awareness of the serious
threats to the survival of gorillas,
an endangered species. These gentle
giants have human-like intelligence
and share almost 98% of our DNA. All
great ape species except humans are
in imminent danger of extinction.
“Thousands of gorillas like
Koko are killed every year by poachers
in the illegal bushmeat trade,”
said Robin Williams. “At this
rate, free-living gorillas could be
wiped off the earth in a few years.”
Williams learned about the urgency of
the situation after meeting Koko and
Dr. Francine “Penny” Patterson
at the Gorilla Foundation.
“Meeting Koko was unforgettable,”
said Williams. “Koko used sign
language to ask me to play with her.
We shared interspecies laughter. I realized
how important the work of The Gorilla
Foundation is for the future of Koko
and her species.” Williams has
since become an Honorary Co-Chair for
the Gorilla Foundation’s campaign
to create the Maui Ape Preserve.
A real-life Dr. Dolittle, Penny Patterson,
President and Research Director of the
Gorilla Foundation, has spent more than
thirty years working with Koko as part
of a two-way communication project with
gorillas. Dr. Patterson said, “Koko
instantly connected with Robin. Koko,
like us, can sense a person’s
nature and in this case, she was quickly
drawn to Robin’s warm heart.”
“We appreciate Robin’s
important contribution to our goal of
raising awareness about the plight of
gorillas and his interest in helping
us develop a primate sanctuary on Maui.
This preserve will become the home for
Koko and her male companion, Ndume,
and will be available as a resource
for welfare and conservation management
of endangered primates in the future.
Koko and Robin's public service announcement
is airing on television and radio through
May 1, 2004. It is also available in
print. The spots invite the public to
learn more about the impending extinction
of gorillas and other great apes by
visiting www.koko.org,
where additional video of Williams with
Koko can be viewed. The Foundation’s
website also offers a DVD/VHS gift premium
entitled “Koko & Friends”
with an hour’s worth of Koko-related
content, including a five-minute feature
clip of Williams with Koko. The Foundation
produced the PSA with pro bono assistance
from creative giant Goodby, Silverstein
& Partners, Inc. and Dave West of
Utah Film and Video. Koko loves to watch
the PSA and plays it over and over again.
This PSA represents a quantum leap in
the Gorilla Foundation's mandate of
Conservation through Communication.
The Foundation's mission is to bring
interspecies communication to the public
in order to save gorillas from extinction
and inspire our children to create a
sustainable future for all great apes.
Learn more at www.koko.org.
About Koko: Koko uses
a modified form of American Sign Language
to communicate with humans. She knows
over 1,000 words in sign language and
has a working vocabulary of 500, which
she uses in complex phrases. She also
understands over 2,000 words of spoken
English. Koko has become a beloved ambassador
for her species. Through the efforts
of the Foundation’s Wildlife Protectors
Fund, the classic book Koko’s
Kitten, a story of love, loss and
grief, is having a profound impact on
conservation values in Africa. As Koko
herself says:"Koko loves gorillas
... people have to hurry!" |
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