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Gorillashave a word for it

Kokois the first gorilla to have been taught sign language (a way of communicatingby using hands and fingers rather than speech). With a vocabulary of more than1000 words, she is the first to prove we share a world with other intelligentbeings who feel emotions, look forward to celebrations and also have a sense ofhumour.

The30-year study of Koko has redefined science's concept of gorilla intelligence.According to some scientists, genetically there is only a 2% difference betweengorillas and humans: we share the same blood type, have the same number ofhairs per square inch and also the same temperament. But what had not beenrecognised by the scientific community was that gorillas have the ability tolearn a language and have complex emotions.

Kokolives in the Santa Cruz mountains in North America, in a wooded spotoverlooking a valley. She has her own home, with curtains, and a nest ofblankets, which is her bed, in one corner. She has a barrel on which she likesto sit when 'talking' to humans - gorillas feel more secure when they can lookdown on others - while her toys are spread everywhere. In addition she has anoutside enclosure where she spends her days when it is not raining.

Itis her conversations with her teacher, Dr Penny Patterson, that are inspiring.Penny explains: ‘The reality of my discovery is that our abilities as humans,our skills, sensibilities and emotions are very similar to the great apes. Whatwe have learnt is that gorillas are more complex than we ever imagined.'

Whenshe began teaching Koko sign language, placing the little fingers of theone-year-old gorilla into the correct positions for 'drink', 'eat', 'more', andrewarding her with food, Dr Patterson had no idea how quickly Koko would learn.“At first, it seemed Koko was using sign language as a tool to get something,”says Patterson. 'It became the kind of reward system that you could expect of acat or a dog. But early in her training, she began to combine signs that mademe think she was capable of more.’ Now Koko is so proficient in sign languagethat if she doesn't know a word she invents one. For example, she didn't knowthe word for 'ring', so she combined the signs for ‘finger’ and 'bracelet' toexpress it.

DrPatterson continues: ‘Koko loves babies and young people. And when she is askedwhat gorillas like best, she always says "Gorilla love eat, good’’.' Oneof Patterson's favourite stories demonstrates Koko's sense of humour. When avisitor asked her to show him something scary, she held up a mirror to his face!

WhenPatterson asked her what she would like for her 11th birthday, Koko signed thatshe wanted a cat. The story of Koko’s cat enabled Patterson to learn more abouther student: the cat was hit by a car and Patterson had to break the news toKoko, who signed 'cry, sad, frown'. Then, once alone, Patterson heard Koko makethe gorilla's distress call: a loud series of hoots.

Fromthe age of three, Koko shared her accommodation with Michael who was intendedas a mate. However,

Michaeldied suddenly two years ago of a heart attack. ‘Koko went into a depressionfollowing Michael's death,’ says Patterson. ‘She would sit for hours with herhead hung low looking upset.'

DrPatterson asked her if she was looking forward to moving to Hawaii, wherePatterson is raising money to build a gorilla refuge. Koko signed ‘Yes',provided she could have curtains in her new home!

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