Meet Koko
Meet Koko

Saving Gorillas from extinction through interspecies communication!

Conservation through Communication

MISSION AND PROJECTS
Install the "Koko Signs" AppLearn to Sign with KokoLearn to Sign with Koko:Get the App

Mission



The Gorilla Foundation is best known for conducting the longest interspecies communication study in history (almost 5 decades) and the only one involving gorillas: Project Koko.  Our mission, Conservation through Communication applies the results and lessons of interspecies communication (with gorillas Koko, Michael and Ndume) to save gorillas from extinction in the wild, dramatically improve their care in captivity, and continue our exciting dialogue with Nature.  Everyone can learn to sign, and all gorillas are Kokos, and these 2 realizations make saving the great apes both a worthwhile and highly reachable goal. Please join us and expedite the process!

Projects

Who is Koko?
Research
KokoArc
Digitizing and analyzing 5 decades of unique interspecies communication data for the benefit of captive and free-living great apes.
Education
KokoKids
Kids4Koko brings together students from all over the world to learn from Koko and become voices for Nature.
Empathy
KokoApp
The Koko Signs app will enable everyone to learn sign language from Koko and help make communication with great apes ubiquitous.
Sanctuary
KokoCares
KokoCares is a program to design better ways to care for gorillas in zoos and sanctuaries, giving them both autonomy and language.

Progress

  • Happy Birthday Ndume (43, Oct 10, 2024)
    KokoArc
    Happy birthday Ndume!  We miss and love you!  Our most recent visit to see Ndume was at the end of June, 2024.  While it is always good to see him, the visits remain bittersweet.  Thick soundproof […]
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  • Meet Sam
    Kids4Koko
    Sam and his mother met with Drs. Penny Patterson and Gary Stanley of The Gorilla Foundation via Zoom, in January 2021, to discuss Sam’s love of Koko and many other animal friends.  We also […]
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  • Koko App Video Preview
    KokoApp
    The Gorilla Foundation is actively developing the Koko App which will enable anyone to learn sign language from Koko and help make communication with more great apes possible.   Please watch the […]
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  • Why Not Learn Their Language Too?
    KokoCares
    In the above photo, a young Michael is gesturing to Koko that he wants her to “come” closer to him.  This is an example of a natural gorilla gesture. All gorillas use gestures to communicate with one […]
    Read More
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Koko has given humanity the gift of “talking with the animals” for more than four decades now.

It’s time for other gorillas to
learn from Koko…

They can all be Voices for Nature!

All Gorillas are Kokos

Koko passed away in her sleep on June 18, 2018 just 2 weeks before her 47th birthday on July 4th. She lived a full and loving life, and has been mourned by millions of people around the world — a process that continues to this day.

Honoring Koko

5th grade teacher

“When we think of saving the Earth, we can't help but think of Koko!"

A 6-year old boy

“All gorillas are Kokos”

How you can help

The Gorilla Foundation’s efforts are made possible largely by support from individual donors, with some support from corporate and foundation grants and educational merchandise. The majority (74%) of these funds are allocated to program expenses — research, education, conservation, and gorilla care & wellness — while about 28% covers the necessary overhead expenses of management and fundraising.

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