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Dear Koko's Friend ,
Today is World Gorilla Day, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how Koko would feel about how her species is doing in 2020. I think she would want me to bring everyone up to date on The Gorilla Foundation's efforts to transmit her legacy of communication and empathy to future generations, but I think she'd also want me to be honest about how much more still needs to be done before gorillas (and other great apes) can feel safe on this planet, coexisting with us.'
So I've decided to do both. Below is a summary of recent news events demonstrating The Gorilla Foundation's efforts to change the way people feel and act towards gorillas for the better — followed by a video panel discussion on the status of and challenges facing gorillas worldwide. The panel features Dr. Ian Redmond, a world-famous primatologist and international ambassador for great apes, Christa Nunes, The Gorilla Foundation's Director of Research and me. We hope you enjoy it, and email lots of questions and comments.
Koko-Inspired Gorilla eNews Updates
First “Interspecies Conversations” Webinar: July 18, 2020
On July 4th, 2020, Dr. Penny Patterson gave a 5-minute video presentation, along with about 20 other interspecies communication presenters, to the first Interspecies Conservations webinar, at interspecies.io.
Gorilla Foundation Partners with Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation:
 The Tzu Chi Foundation is an international humanitarian organization with mission to relieve the suffering of those in need while creating a better world for all through compassion, love and hope. Their mission resonates with ours, and Koko's role as a Voice of Nature. Thus, we agreed to partner on a 5-year co-mission to help humans coexist with Nature in ways that are mutually beneficial, with a focus on engaging kids at an early age.
Kids4Koko Learn to Sign, Paint, Read and Save Gorillas:
Kids4Koko is a new program launched on our website, at koko.org/kids4koko ...
Video Discussion: The Status of Gorillas Worldwide
On Sep. 23, 2020, Dr. Ian Redmond (left) and Dr. Penny Patterson (right) met (via Zoom) to discuss the current challenges facing gorillas, both in the wild and in captivity. Some of the questions addressed include: ...
I only wish Koko could be with us on this (and every) World Gorilla Day, but I know she is with us in spirit, and I think she would approve of how hard we're working to make a difference for her species and ours — and our shared Natural World.
With gratitude and "Koko-Love,"
Penny Patterson, Ph.D.
President & Director of Research
The Gorilla Foundation / Koko.org
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