Dear Friend,

Let’s spend a moment with gorillas Koko and Ndume in their large outdoor yard at The Gorilla Foundation.

The video above, with scenes filmed in 1999-2002, shows them sometimes sitting near each other, sometimes at a distance, but comfortably occupying the same space.

As the video unfolds, Ndume searches for food hidden in a pile of leaves and Koko uses a stick to reach peanut butter inside a jar.

Toward the end, Koko signs to Penny, “time chase” and “you come hurry,” inviting Penny to join her on the far side of the yard.

For gorillas, simply being at ease in the same space can say a great deal.

The large yard gave Koko and Ndume room for both togetherness and independence, allowing each of them to explore, forage, rest, and make choices on their own terms.

It is also a reminder that gorillas living in human care need space, autonomy, and regular access to the outdoors.

At The Gorilla Foundation, we are working every day to create that kind of future!

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