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Dear Friend,

Koko often surprised me with her independence. In this weekโ€™s video, she sits quietly with her journal and a pen, marking intently on the page. When I ask what sheโ€™s doing and if sheโ€™d like to tell me about it, she simply moves the journal out of view and keeps writing.

Itโ€™s such a simple act, yet it reveals something profoundโ€”Kokoโ€™s awareness that her thoughts were her own. She didnโ€™t always want to share what she was thinking or feeling, and I respected that.

Every day with Koko reminded me that gorillas, like us, deserve privacy, autonomy, and respect. Through The Gorilla Foundation, we continue to honor that truth by supporting sanctuaries and conservation programs that protect gorillasโ€™ freedom and intelligence.

Thank you for helping us keep Kokoโ€™s legacy alive, so that we may continue to improve the welfare of gorillas worldwide.

Penny Gives Smoky to Koko

With Koko-Love,
Penny Patterson Signature
Dr. Penny Patterson
President, CEO and Founder
The Gorilla Foundation / Koko.org



Conservation through Communication

With your support, Kokoโ€™s legacy lives on โ€” protecting gorillas in Africa
and giving them a voice worldwide.