Dear Friend,
In the above video, Koko explores an illustrated alphabet book with me.
Each page features a letter and a drawing meant to represent it. When we reach the letter K, I say “K is for Koko!”
Koko then turns to the letter B, which shows a bulldog barking. Instead of repeating what’s in the book, Koko signs “Bite”— a different B-word, drawn from her own vocabulary.
Her choice reveals that she wasn’t just identifying pictures, but actively engaging with the concept of the alphabet. By selecting her own sign for the letter B, Koko demonstrates a thoughtful and personal understanding of how letters relate to words and meaning.
It’s so nice to be able to continually learn from Koko by reflecting on these selections from our KokoArc digital archive, which spans 5 decades. Thank you for joining us on this journey of conservation through communication!
With Koko-Love,
Dr. Penny Patterson
President, CEO and Founder
The Gorilla Foundation / Koko.org
Conservation through Communication
The Gorilla Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Our Federal Tax ID is: 942-38-6151
Without the support of people like you, Gorillas remain at risk.
Thank you for supporting Koko’s Legacy of gorilla conservation and care today!
