News Anthropology

Koko the gorilla is gone, but she left a legacy

Koko the gorilla

R.I.P.  Koko, seen here showing Francine Patterson a flower, gained fame for learning sign language. The western lowland gorilla died June 19 at age 46.

The Gorilla Foundation/Koko.org

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

When Koko died in her sleep in California on June 19, people throughout the world immediately began mourning the gorilla.

Koko was a charmer and undeniably smart.