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KokoPix Photo Blog (Archive)
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on any of the following photos to enlarge:
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Aug 29, 2008 |
Only secure silverbacks have teddybears |
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Ndume (Koko’s mate) chooses to spend some quality time on a picnic blanket with some friendly stuffed animals (including bears). What an inventive form of stress relaxation! |
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Aug 18, 2008 |
Is Koko ready to blog? |
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Koko likes to do a little sketching, write a few words, fill up the page with doodles and designs, but she’s not nearly as expressive in writing as she is in sign language or art.
Do you think Koko would enjoy typing or stylusing on a computer rather than writing in a notebook? And should she have her own personal blog, or should she leave that endeavor to humans? |
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Jul 8, 2008 |
Koko Keeps Kool in Summer |
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As the temperature warms up in northern California beyond normal limits, Koko is forced to spend more time indoors (in her air-conditioned bedroom, which is being driven to its limits too). Here, Koko is spending a little quality time outdoors, just before the heat wave. (PS: Your donations will help us ensure Koko’s and Ndume’s welfare in these challenging times, as well as that of gorillas at large.) |
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Jun 15, 2008 |
Koko — close up, and person-al |
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It's hard to think of Koko as anything other than a "person" when you look into her eyes. You might wonder: how can poachers hunt and kill gorillas for "bushmeat" in Africa? Answer: They've never looked into a gorilla's eyes like this, nor even seen a photo (or video) like this. They've probably never heard of Koko, or Michael or Ndume . . . and they certainly don't believe gorillas can feel and care the way they do. It's Our job to change this. Thank you for helping Koko save her species . . . |
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Jun 4, 2008 |
Koko’s baby (?) |
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We’ve been receiving a lot of questions lately about whether Koko still wants a baby, is able to have one, are there other options, etc. In response, we’ve created a special FAQ answer that addresses this question comprehensively.
The short answer is that Koko still very much would like to have a baby, is very affectionate with her baby dolls (as shown here) and we think she would make an extremely good mother, teaching her baby all of the signs she learned as a baby, and more. To see a video clip of Koko “molding” one of her orangutan dolls to sign “drink”, click here.
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May 13, 2008 |
Koko enjoys the nice weather |
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It’s nice when Spring comes to Northern California as it means that Koko (and Ndume) can spend more time outside again. Being outside in the sun improves everyone’s mood, don’t you think? |
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May 4, 2008 |
Just an everyday conversation between two friends ... |
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Can you guess what Dr. Patterson (Penny) and Koko are discussing here? It's always difficult to tell from a still photo what "signs" are being used, as signs involve 3-dimensional motions, or gestures, and different signs may involve some of the same "frames." That's why we've been preparing more and more Koko video clips for Koko.org; they're simply more educational and also more accurate for purposes of scientific description.
So please remember to explore the archives of both KokoFlix and KokoPix to learn more about Project Koko — and its implications for humanity. If you look into, and then beyond, all of the sign language, you may get an inkling of a very optimistic future for both of our respective species. Especially if we continue to use language as a bridge to discover the truth about what we share. |
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Apr 19, 2008 |
Koko enriches herself...and us |
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Koko sits outside exploring an enrichment object designed and created by Adrienne Mrsny, one of her caregivers and research assistants. |
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Apr 7, 2008 |
Dr. Patterson examines Koko’s mouth, and vice versa. |
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Interspecies relationships have a way of evolving, especially if there’s mutual respect. Clearly, mutual respect has been one of the cornerstones of Project Koko, and has enabled Dr. Penny Patterson to develop such a profound relationship with gorilla Koko during their 3-decade relationship that it’s often hard to tell who’s the teacher and who’s the student.
But if one thing has become self evident from all this research, it's this: gorillas deserve our protection, and deserve a voice in the world. And thanks to “ambassador” Koko, they have at least one very articulate one advocating their "critically endangered" cause. Please add your voice to hers. |
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Mar 11, 2008 |
Koko’s happy to Spring forward |
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It’s been a long, cold and wet winter in Northern California, and both Koko and Ndume are glad the weather has finally turned Spring-like and they can begin to spend more time in their outdoor habitat. |
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