Remembering Koko, the ‘Talking’ Gorilla Who Was DiCaprio’s Friend

Koko featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine twice and was friends with DiCaprio and Robin Williams.

Penny Patterson passing a kitten to Koko.

(Photos: koko.org/The Gorilla foundation)

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj, Purnendu Pritam

Koko, a western lowland gorilla, which reportedly mastered sign language, has died at the age of 46, the California institute said on Thursday, 21 June.

Koko was born on 4 July, 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo. Dr Francine "Penny" Patterson who was studying animal communication for her PhD in Psychology at the Stanford University, adopted her and taught her sign language. Consequently, Koko could understand nearly 2,000 english words and developed a bond with humans that was never seen before.

Koko was among a handful of primates who could communicate using sign language; others included Washoe, a female chimpanzee in Washington state, and Chantek, a male orangutan in Atlanta. Her keepers said she understood some spoken English, too.

Koko loved painting

While the world was fascinated by the inter-specie communicating gorilla, Koko developed a rare and unique love for kittens. She even enjoyed painting and playing the guitar.

Koko playing with her cat

Koko featured in several documentaries and appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine twice. In October, 1978, a photograph Koko had taken of her own reflection in a mirror, featured on the magazine’s cover.

Koko on National Geographic cover page

Koko was even friends with renowned Hollywood celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and the late Robin Williams!

Leonardo DiCaprio with Koko, the Gorilla. 

"The Gorilla Foundation is sad to announce the passing of our beloved Koko...Koko touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy. She was beloved and will be deeply missed." the research centre said in a statement, adding that she passed away in her sleep.

The one-of-a-kind gorilla will be missed!

(With inputs from Reuters)