Koko, the gorilla who captured the world’s heart with her remarkable ability to communicate through sign language, left an indelible mark on science and popular culture until her passing on June 19, 2018. Among her many extraordinary moments, her heartfelt encounter with comedian Robin Williams in 2001 stood out as a testament to her emotional depth and ability to connect across species. In the days before her death, Koko reportedly shared poignant reflections about that meeting, revealing a side of her bond with Williams that continues to captivate and inspire.
A Gorilla Like No Other
Born on July 4, 1971, at the San Francisco Zoo, Koko—whose full name, Hanabi-Ko, meaning “Fireworks Child” in Japanese—was chosen through a public contest. Her journey into the spotlight began in 1972 when Francine “Penny” Patterson, a Stanford Ph.D. candidate, launched Project Koko to explore the linguistic potential of gorillas. Starting with simple signs like “food,” “drink,” and “more,” Patterson used hand-modeling techniques to teach Koko a modified version of American Sign Language (ASL). By 1974, Koko moved to a compound at Stanford, and in 1976, Patterson, alongside Dr. Ronald H. Cohn and Barbara F. Hiller, founded The Gorilla Foundation to advance gorilla research and conservation.
Koko’s linguistic prowess grew rapidly. By her third year, she had mastered over 200 signs, eventually amassing a vocabulary of roughly 1,000 signs and understanding over 2,000 spoken English words. She even invented her own signs, such as combining “scratch” and “comb” to mean “brush.” Her ability to express complex emotions like “sad,” “love,” and “sorry” hinted at a profound inner world, though skeptics debated whether her signing truly constituted language or was a conditioned response. Regardless, Koko’s ability to forge deep emotional connections was undeniable, making her a global icon.
A Star-Studded Connection with Robin Williams
Koko’s fame soared as she met luminaries like Jane Goodall, Mister Rogers, and, most memorably, Robin Williams. In 2001, Williams visited Koko at The Gorilla Foundation’s preserve in Woodside, California. The encounter was electric: Koko, sensing Williams’ warmth, playfully removed his glasses and tried them on before enveloping him in a gentle hug. Williams later described the moment as transformative, saying, “We shared something extraordinary: Laughter.” The two connected through humor and empathy, a moment that resonated deeply with audiences when footage of their meeting went viral.
Years later, after Williams’ tragic death in 2014, Koko’s caretakers revealed her grief. When told of his passing, Koko signed “sad” and “cry,” her demeanor visibly somber. This display of mourning underscored her emotional intelligence and the strength of their brief but powerful connection. In the days leading up to her own death in 2018, Koko reportedly reflected on Williams again. According to Patterson, Koko signed “funny man” and “love” when recalling their meeting, a poignant confession that highlighted the lasting impact Williams had on her. These final reflections painted Koko not just as a linguistic marvel but as a soul capable of cherishing memories across years.
Koko’s Emotional World
Beyond her linguistic feats, Koko’s life was rich with emotional milestones. She formed a deep bond with a kitten named All Ball in 1984, personally selecting the pet and nurturing it with care. When All Ball was tragically killed by a car, Koko’s grief was palpable—she signed “sad, frown, cry, bad” and emitted a mournful hoot, echoing the cries she made as a lonely infant. Her emotional expressiveness extended to playful moments too, like when she mischievously blamed a broken sink on one of her kittens, showcasing a cheeky sense of humor.
Koko’s love for music also shone through. In 2012, she played the recorder, and in 2016, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea gifted her a bass guitar, which she explored with curiosity. These interactions revealed Koko’s multifaceted personality, blending intelligence, creativity, and emotional depth.
A Life in the Spotlight
From 1979, Koko lived at The Gorilla Foundation’s Woodside preserve, a lush sanctuary where she thrived alongside other gorillas, including her mate Michael and later Ndume. Her life there was peaceful, punctuated by visits from journalists and celebrities eager to witness her signing skills. Koko’s story featured in documentaries like the 2016 TV movie Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People, which brought her message of interspecies empathy to millions. The foundation leveraged her fame to advocate for great ape conservation, amplifying her role as an ambassador for her species.
Despite her advanced age, Koko’s death at 46 came as a shock. By 2018, she showed signs of age-related ailments, and Patterson noted a poignant moment just before her passing: Koko looked at her caretaker, signing “patient” and “old” with a somber expression, as if aware of her nearing end. On June 19, 2018, Koko passed away in her sleep from natural causes, leaving her caretakers and fans heartbroken.
Koko’s Enduring Legacy
The Gorilla Foundation mourned Koko as “an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy.” Her burial in Woodside, near the home she loved, was marked by a touching ceremony attended by Ndume and her caretakers. The foundation honored her legacy with a sign language app, ensuring her lessons in communication endure.
Koko’s story reshaped how we view animals. “She changed the way people think about gorillas,” said Mitzi Phillips, a former foundation volunteer. “She lived a life filled with love.” Koko’s confessions about Robin Williams, shared in her final days, remind us of her extraordinary capacity for connection—a gorilla who laughed, grieved, and loved, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire wonder and respect for the emotional lives of animals.