Not only do gorillas recognize themselves in mirrors (Koko nonchalantly uses mirrors for grooming), but they can also use them for more clever purposes, such as Koko is doing here – to check out the photographer (Ron) working behind her back.
We will probably never learn how much they know that we never thought they knew until they decide to tell us – which is why interspecies communication research requires a lot of patience.
However, the rewards are also quite profound, both for our species and Koko”s.
