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AFP
SAN FRANCISCO
THE famed gorilla Koko, known for mastering sign language and building a rapport with humans, has died in California, a research center announced on Thursday. She was 46.
Born Hanabi-ko (Japanese for"Fireworks Child") on US independence day in 1971 at San Francisco Zoo, she was widely known by her nickname. Animal psychologist Penny Patterson began teaching Koko sign language in 1972.
The western lowland gorilla became one of the most famous subjects of research into how apes use language, reputedly learning more than 1,000 words in American Sign Language, and becoming the subject of books and television shows.
"Koko touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy," The Gorilla Foundation announced in northern California.
Koko passed away on Wednesday morning in her sleep, the center said.
"She was beloved and will be deeply missed," it added.
