You might remember Koko the gorilla learning sign language and mothering two kittens, but her opinion on the earth's climate and man's role in it will leave you amazed.
"Man Is Stupid!" Koko the Gorilla Shames Humans Over Climate Conditions.
By
Teresa Thomerson in
Bizarre
On 7th January 2016
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#1 Koko the Gorilla is a part of the Interspecies Communication Project.
Koko learned sign language at a pace that paralleled language acquisition by human children. Her most rapid gains in new vocabulary occurred between years 2.5 and 4.5, as compared with human children who spike between 2 and 4 years. Koko learned over 200 new ASL signs in her 3rd year, and while her rate of learning tapered off (as it does for humans) she has continued to acquire new signs year after year, and her current vocabulary exceeds 1100 signs. Koko's younger male companion, Michael, learned over 600 signs at a similar pace, and the two gorillas had the additional benefit of being able to improve their skills by communicating with each other.
Koko's sign vocabulary ranges from the basics like: FOOD, DRINK and MORE, to emotional signs like: SAD, LOVE, GOOD, and SORRY to more sophisticated signs like: OBNOXIOUS, FAKE, and POLITE, and epithets like: STUPID DIRTY TOILET, and enable her to communicate about all aspects of her environment, as well as about more abstract concepts, memories, and stories that she either sees in books or on video.
#2 She also understands spoken English.
As Koko and Michael were learning American Sign Language, Dr. Patterson always spoke to the gorillas simultaneously while signing to them. Thus, both gorillas learned to comprehend a great deal of spoken English (over 2,000 words for Koko and a similar number for Michael). This is often surprising to people who first meet Koko, and think they can make private side comments to Penny; Koko usually keeps up with the conversation and responds accordingly.
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#3 The project also delves into the complexities of a gorilla's emotions and comprehension skills.
People often ask if gorillas can sign about complex thoughts and feelings, or just about their basic needs and wants. Both Koko and Michael have communicated about their feelings in ways that indicate they are capable of extraordinary emotional depth, including empathy, and not just for each other, but also for their human caregivers. This is a significant finding, as it may be what ultimately hold the key to their survival; if they suffer and care about the suffering of others, how can we not reciprocate?
The recent climate summit in Paris saw some of the most powerful humans on the planet deliver rousing speeches, although it's the discourse of a famous member of another species that's currently attracting attention, after Koko the gorilla made her feelings on climate change known using sign language.
Now, as part of a campaign by French organization Noe Conservation, Koko has been filmed delivering a message to the humans of the world, encouraging them to become more conscious of their responsibility to protect the planet. In the video, she appears to call mankind "stupid" for ignoring this responsibility, while also claiming that "Earth Koko love"
