Dear Friend,

In August 2015, two very small kittens arrived at The Gorilla Foundation.

Their names would become Ms. Grey and Ms. Black, one a soft grey, one a dark little tabby, and in the video above, you can watch their very first days in Koko’s world.  

These kittens are tiny, curious, and completely fearless about exploring.  They investigate everything: a colorful wand toy, a plastic tarp that crinkles underfoot, a baby doll on the floor.  They chase each other through the light, tumble and rest and then chase again.

Koko watches.  She is attentive and follows their movements with the kind of steady, focused interest she brought to so many things she cared about.

That attentiveness matters.  Gorillas are deeply social animals, and their relationships are individual.  They notice others and respond differently to different companions.  

With Koko, we saw this again and again, especially in the bonds she formed with cats.

The last clip was filmed seven months later, in March 2016.  By then, Ms. Grey and Ms. Black had grown into adult cats.  What you see in that footage is something quieter — Koko leaning in close to Ms. Grey, who is resting on a seat, and gently kissing the cat’s face.

Koko had cats as companions throughout much of her life, starting with All Ball, who was featured in the best-selling book “Koko’s Kitten” (and on the cover of the 1985 National Geographic).  Ms. Grey and Ms. Black, who arrived as kittens small enough to fit in her palm, became part of that long history of trust and affection, and were among her most beloved.

Ms. Grey and Ms. Black continue to be cared for by one of Koko’s former caregivers.  They are alive and flourishing in New Mexico, thanks to this caregiver, whose love of both Koko and her kittens is clearly unconditional.

With Koko love,

Penny Patterson
President, CEO and Founder
The Gorilla Foundation / koko.org

Conservation through Communication

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