by Chelsea
 |
Koko was born July 4, l97l
at the San Francisco Zoo. Dr. Francine "Penny"
Patterson visited Koko everyday in l972. Koko began to
trust Dr. Patterson. Soon Dr. Patterson wanted to see if
she could teach Koko to use sign language. She wanted to
see if a gorilla could communicate with her. Within one
month Koko was signing her first three words. The words
were "drink", "food", and
"more". Dr. Patterson was very excited! Koko was moved to a new home when she was three. When she was settled in her new home, she began to make even greater progress. She was now able to sign in simple sentences.When Koko was five another gorilla came to be her companion. This gorilla's name was Michael. Together they played, explored, and learned to communicate through sign language. Koko is very smart and gentle. She had a pet kitten that she loved to play with. She also had a pet tree frog and a blue jay. At age 8, Koko and Michael, age 6, moved again to a wooded area in California. They have more room to roam the outdoors. These animals must be protected or they will become extinct. Scientists wonder if these gorillas were to breed, would they teach their babies sign language? Images and information on living primates. Natural history, vocal calls, animations. |
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