Dear Friend,

Critics have sometimes claimed that Koko was only mimicking the signs she saw from me. But in this week’s video (see above) you’ll see something those critics can’t explain: Koko signing to herself.

Whether pointing to a bird in a book, labeling flowers, or creating a hat from a cloth, she used signs on her own, without anyone prompting her.

Koko was using sign language as a tool to explore and reflect on her world. It’s a powerful reminder that her communication was real, independent, and deeply meaningful.

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Conservation through Communication

The Gorilla Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Our Federal Tax ID is: 942-38-6151

With your gift, Koko’s legacy lives on — protecting gorillas in Africa
and giving them a voice worldwide.

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