Dear Friend,

I’ve been thinking a lot about Koko lately—especially her curiosity and how she loved interacting with the world around her. One of my fondest memories is of Koko playing with a View-Master, flipping through reels of pictures, and describing them to me in sign language. She knew exactly how to operate it, and she would happily share what she saw.

She continued to amaze me throughout her life with what she was capable of (and interested in) learning, as shown in the following video …

Koko’s ability to communicate showed the world just how intelligent and emotionally rich gorillas are. She opened our eyes to their beauty, their depth, and their similarities to us. But despite everything Koko taught us, her family—gorillas living in the wild—are still in danger.

This Giving Tuesday, we have the opportunity to carry forward Koko’s legacy and ensure that gorillas everywhere can live in safety and peace. With your help, we’re using our award-winning Koko Signs app to teach children and communities in Africa how special gorillas are.

Just as Koko changed our understanding, we can help her change theirs—turning fear into empathy and converting poachers into protectors.

As we approach Giving Tuesday, I’ll be sharing more about how you can be a part of this mission. Thank you for standing with us, and with Koko, to protect these incredible animals.

With Koko-Love,

Penny Patterson, Ph.D.
President, CEO and Founder
The Gorilla Foundation

P.S. Keep an eye on your inbox next week—I’ll be sharing more about how we can continue Koko’s work and make a real impact for gorillas this Giving Tuesday.

Conservation through Communication

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