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KokoPix Photo Blog (Archive)
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on any of the following photos to enlarge:
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Apr 30, 2013 |
Ndume Enjoying Nature |
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Ndume sits atop his barrel watching squirrels play in the apple tree. Ndume has been Koko's companion since 1991. He is 10 years younger than Koko (31) and about 150 pounds heavier. Male silverback gorillas can grow to be over twice as heavy (and strong) as female gorillas. This may be one reason why natural gorilla family groups typically contain several females with a single silverback (and some youngsters), and why silverbacks can become stressed by strangers — they are responsible for the whole troop, which can extend to their human caregivers in captivity, if they have developed strong (interspecies) bonds. |
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Apr 19, 2013 |
Koko Enjoys the Spring |
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Koko sits in her favorite corner of the yard basking in the sun. |
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Sep 28, 2012 |
Koko Enjoys new Ape and Alligator Dolls |
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Koko enjoys playing, and acting, with various types of dolls, from human to ape to alligator. In this photo, she's kissing a life-like new orangutan doll, while a beautiful new plush alligator doll (given to her by Koko's long-time friend and supporter, Anne Bernstein) "looks" on. |
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Jul 28, 2012 |
Portrait of Ndume, Koko's good friend |
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Closeup of Koko's best gorilla friend, Ndume. It was originally expected that Koko and Ndume would become mates, when she first selected him via a "video dating" process. However, while they get along well, they have not mated, possibly due to the absence of a natural gorilla group structure—multiple females associated with the silverback male. Koko has communicated to us that she would welcome a small female support group — which could lead to the birth of a gorilla baby (her dearest wish). |
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Jul 11, 2012 |
Ndume Enjoys a Healthy Treat |
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Ndume enjoys his vegetable browse, prepared for him everyday by our wonderful volunteers. Caregivers always make sure the gorillas get the freshest and most nutritional greens.
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Mar 27, 2012 |
Koko Looking Pensive |
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Ron Cohn's photographic artistry shows Koko looking pensive. However, we can’t be sure what she’s thinking or feeling just by looking at her. We have to ask, or wait for her to tell us. This is one of the benefits of teaching basic sign language to captive gorillas — it creates an opportunity for “two-way” communication that both empowers and enriches their lives, as well as that of their caregivers. |
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Mar 4, 2012 |
Koko Cuddles with her “Virtual” Baby |
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Koko cuddles with a very realistic gorilla doll. She tells us through play behavior like this, and directly, via sign language, that she wants to be a mother. This has become top priority for the Gorilla Foundation — not just for Koko, but for gorillas at large. It's incredibly important for there to be more than one great ape ambassador (i.e., spokesperson) to humanity in the world, and on a perpetual basis. |
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Feb 19, 2012 |
Koko Greets a Visiting Kitten (Pre-Tiger) |
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Koko holds one of her favorite kittens from a litter that came to visit. Alas, this particular relationship wasn't a match, and Koko later invited two other kittens, who she later named Tiger and Blackie, to stay (see Jan. 14 KokoPix). |
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Jan 14, 2012 |
Koko Relaxes with her New Friend, Tiger |
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Koko continues to bond with her new kitten friends, Tiger (shown) and Blackie, whom she named personally. The two female kittens have their own nearby living space, so they can conveniently visit with Koko almost any time. Wonder if Tiger is aware that she is among a very short lineage of kittens who have been close friends with a gorilla (a list which includes All Ball, Lips, Smokey and Moe). Koko is simply a very loving gorilla — which turns out to be quite typical for her species. We’re just lucky enough to be able to ask Koko directly about her thoughts and feelings. |
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Nov 20, 2011 |
Koko Cradles One Kisses the Other |
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Koko has no difficulty at all taking care of more than one baby (doll). She’s also been demonstrating her “multitask mothering” capabilities recently with new kittens Tiger and Blackie (watch the video in KokoBlog). So much love from such a smart gorilla. |
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