 |
In
this series, we share our gorilla research and care activities
with you through the following features:
1)
Caregiver Corner (what
it's like to interact and communicate with gorillas Koko, Ndume
and Michael)
2) Research Revelations
(what we're learning through interspecies communication and
what it means for humanity)
prepared
by our staff under the supervision of Dr. Penny Patterson, Director
of Research. (Journal PhotoBlog
Archive) |
|
| Koko, What Do You Want for Your Birthday? |
July 02, 2003 |
|
 |
Dr.
Francine "Penny" Patterson has a Ph.D. in Developmental
Psychology from Stanford. She is President and Research
Director of The Gorilla Foundation, and a Member
of the Board of ApeNet - a consortium of foundations
supporting the welfare of great apes through interspecies
communication. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of
"Gorilla, the journal of The Gorilla Foundation/Koko.org."
"Penny's Journal" provides insight into her facinating
relationship with Koko and a way to share with us
her experiences as Koko lives, learns and communicates
"The
differences between humans and gorillas are greatly
overshadowed by what we have in common — and by
communicating with them, we can learn as much about
our own true nature as theirs." Penny Patterson |
|
|
|
Koko will turn 32 this July
4th (her full name, Hanabi-ko, means “Fireworks Child” in Japanese).
Every year in advance of Koko's birthday, I ask Koko what she would like and I
always get interesting replies. This year, the dialogue (in sign language) went
like this:
Penny: Koko, what do you want for your birthday?
Koko: SANDWICH BIRTHDAY.
(signing birthday by blowing on all ten fingers held in front of
her face).
Koko then proceeds to get
the key to the doors of the building
as well as the research data clipboard (both things her human companions
use daily, but she seldom has access to).
Penny: What else do you want for your birthday? (hoping
for an expanded wishlist)
Koko starts writing copiously
on various pages of the data clipboard.
Koko: SANDWICH COOKIE TIME
KOKO-LOVE.
Koko then takes me over to the refrigerator, and I ask . . .
Penny:
What kind of surprises?
Koko: SURPRISE CONTAINER TIME WITH CANDY.
On Christmas Koko got a package of candy-coated sunflower seeds and subsequently
on very special occasions has received them from a pill box container as
rewards for jobs well done.
We also know from previous conversations with Koko that she would like something
else as soon as possible, if not this birthday, then next ... a
bouncing baby bundle of gorilla joy.
Koko Kisses Her Gorilla "Baby" |
That is what Koko really wants for her birthday. She is always asking for a baby,
either directly, or by pretending mother-child behavior with her gorilla dolls
(never with her human dolls). And while Koko’s still in the prime of her
childbearing years, the clock is ticking. So, we have stepped up our efforts to
do everything in our power to help make her wish come true. This includes modifying
her current home in Woodside so that she and Ndume (her younger male companion)
can spend more quality time together at their own discretion. Originally a bit
skeptical, Koko has adapted beautifully to the new arrangements.
Koko Eyes Ndume Napping |
Now she and Ndume frolic delightedly together, chasing each other, playfully tossing
things around and just generally being silly — all healthy signs that they
are growing more intimate.
We have also added a veterinarian to our staff who has great expertise caring
for gorillas. Monitoring gorilla health, he pays close attention to Koko's hormonal
cycles. That way we can provide every opportunity for togetherness during her
most fertile times.
However, the missing link may be the anticipated move to her new home at the Maui
Ape Preserve sanctuary, as this will provide more freedom, more privacy, and more
natural foliage for foraging in a much more suitable (tropical) climate for gorillas.
It will also provide an opportunity to share her habitat with additional gorillas,
hopefully increasing the female-to-male ratio to a level characteristic of gorilla
families. This should give Koko more confidence in starting a family with a much
larger silverback (Ndume).
Koko Enjoys an Outdoor Walk |
While Koko knows we’re doing everything possible to expedite the move to
Maui, she is still impatient. During a visit great-ape advocate Peter Gabriel
made to the Gorilla Foundation, we played his enchanting song “Don’t
Give Up” for Koko, and I remarked : “Koko, we’re not going to
give up on the Maui Ape Preserve.”
Koko responded by immediately picking up the keys and using them on the door to
the outside, as if to reinforce the point.
Penny
|
Please
email us at research_feedback@koko.org
if you have any questions, or would like to share an observation
or insight about the preceding interspecies conversations.
Your feedback can inform our research and is a vital part
of our mission.
Thank you,
Dr. Francine Penny Patterson
<< Previous Entry
|
Next Entry >>
Journal Archive (Photo Blog)
Current
eNewsLetter
with The
Gorilla Foundation |
The Foundation
- How to Help - Maui
Preserve - Koko's World - Kids
Club - KokoMart
KokoMail - About
Gorillas - News - Faq
- Sponsors - Home
- Search - Site
Map
Contact Us
© Copyright
2007 The Gorilla Foundation / Koko.Org. All
rights reserved.
|
|
