Besides gesturing, gorillas also naturally vocalize to express their feelings, needs, and wants. Though they can’t “speak” they can express such emotions as pleasure, impatience, fear, anger, annoyance, bluster, laughter, and joy through very clearly distinct vocalizations such as purrs, hoots, cries, chuckles, grunts, and barks. Following are a couple of examples.
Koko “Purrs”
Michael “HootSlaps”
Koko also demonstrates “novel” vocalizations; voluntary use of their voice and breath control to produce interesting sounds. It has been widely believed by other researchers that gorillas and other great apes are unable to produce such voluntary vocal behaviors. This is an area of active research for the Gorilla Foundation.
Koko “Huffs” into a Microphone
Koko “Blows” into Wind Instruments
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