Koko Reads Animalia

Koko looks through a new picture book sent to her as a gift from a Gorilla Foundation volunteer, Kimberly Sullivan. Koko signs about certain pictures that she likes: for example flowers when she sees some pretty flowers, red (and lipstick drink) when she sees a picture of red cats (she used to have a cat named lips lipstick). She also opens the gift card and signs cat, which is on the cover of the card. When Penny asks her to select her favorite picture in the book, she of course selects the red cats. But when Penny asks her to select a picture for Ron (co-founder Dr. Ron Cohn, her usual photographer and father figure) she selects the picture of an alligator featuring a large open mouth full of sharp teeth (alligator toys are Kokos favorites for scaring people, and herself). When Ron comes over to see Kokos pick, Koko seems a bit embarrassed and puts her hands over her face to sign unattention.
Lesson: Gorillas can be extremely sensitive.
Date Added: Mar 1, 2009
Videographer: Penny Patterson

[@alicesmith8134]

Love how she calls everything fake. Koko doesn't take any bullshit.

[@maximusvetti254]

Alice Smith you don't want to get Coco angry . Even though she level headed snap your arm off

[@kadukem9538]

Max *koko

[@obscure.reference]

Meredith O. what

[@akiramomoiro3083]

I'm honestly a bit put off by hearing a creature make a kissing sound. She is very cool and all of that, but the fact that there is a creature with the same intellect as my cat can make kissing sounds is just bothering me

[@marianlacar8039]

@@akiramomoiro3083 is not smart as your cat… Koko IQ is so high as many humans.

[@ravenclawtom]

Koko is more gentle with books then some real life people I know

[@floatingshoppinglist5193]

And animals, she loved for multiple cats in her lifetime. Rip to a God given friend to humankid 🙏

[@RPKGameVids]

There is something so peaceful and relaxing about watching Koko.

[@AlphaGoII]

RPKVids I think its because she's a little 'Zen', so in the moment of life. But we know she thinks on things, like her lifelong desire for children and family. She is a very lovely ape ☺

[@EfySmasher]

Ikr

[@cetaceantali]

Yes!!

[@allysanimalchannel]

2:12 She kissed the cat drawing! How precious

[@Nikita.1999]

This ape was cat lover 😏

[@SWLinPHX]

THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THIS VIDEO: 0:19 Koko has no interest in the picture with fellow gorillas. 0:55 Koko, a giant gorilla, delicately opens an envelope without ripping the card inside. 1:30 Koko belches right after Penny tells her how polite she is. 2:07 Koko knows how to quickly skip over or rifle thru pages when Penny tells her to find a certain pic. 2:58 Koko checks carefully to see that two pages aren't stuck together before turning them.

[@LetterJaye]

At 0:30 Koko isn't licking her fingers she's signing "red" for the cats

[@thelifeofarobloxian190]

SWLinPHX Lmao I see your comments In almost every video! *Thumbs up*

[@SWLinPHX]

Thelife of A Robloxian Right on! :D

[@lowqualityshitposts8860]

+LetterJaye why not both

[@hisokamorow3611]

+Thelife of A Robloxian he has a sexual relationship with an ape you must know

[@dillinghammatt50]

I can stay up all night watching these Koko videos

[@SWLinPHX]

Me too. They make me smile and fill me with a good feeling, especially when I feel let down by people.

[@conradfincher8876]

Mattistripping that's what I'm doing

[@freeblowjobs3006]

Mattistripping I'm actually doing that right now

[@gtaPlayer47]

Free Blowjobs me too

[@candygoth4756]

Me too.

[@dfafi]

I love how she shows Ron the alligator picture and then does the 'polite' sign to show that it's not meant to be offensive. So adorable =]

[@jamie5617]

I love how when Ron said "I don't see it" she immediately pointed at it. incredible.

[@toxendon]

I am totally out of words, I can't even... This is the most mind blowing thing I have ever seen. She is READING A GOD DAMN BOOK

[@toxendon]

And now she is carefully opening a letter I CAN'T EVEN

[@MMparasol13]

It really says something about the intelligence of Koko that she can connect a drawing of something (like a cat) with the real thing. I know if I showed my cats a drawing like that they would only see it as a sheet of paper, no matter what was drawn on it.

[@darthtelly]

Cats not recognizing it as a picture probably has less to do with intelligence and more to do with the way they see things out of there eyes

[@horseluver136]

Well connecting the picture to an animal has to do with the association area in the brain. Cats have far more dedicated to sensory and motor control in their brain than they do association areas, while humans have mostly association areas

[@andrewaronson3364]

yes apes are smarter than cats 🐒 🐈

[@geslinam9703]

Ah, but I have seen various cats I’ve lived with watch TV, especially when it’s other animals. On cat would even go around to the back of the TV, as if she thought they would come out the back. ...and they love those videos for cats on KZbin, with the bird feeder footage, or the simulated mouse and bug video games. I suppose their brains are more wired towards moving items. I lived in a big house, and sometimes a neighbors cat would wander into the yard. My cat would watch him from the front window until he disappeared around the side of the house, then she would dart to the window on that same side, and watch him from there. So she knew she was in a house, and she understood that if she moved around to the windows that were in the same area the outside cat went, that she would be able to see him again. I thought this was rather impressive, considering some don’t see cats as being very bright.

[@theresagraham5893]

This lady is so beautiful. What a perfect person to spend her life with Koko.

[@futurevideo10]

Koko is the smartest animal on earth other than humans, she made sure there were no book pages stuck together, watch 2:57, no other animal did this.

[@SWLinPHX]

Actually, you're right. That is a very "human" trait where she seems to just have awareness of how things work.

[@angelsRsinging]

Oh yeah! Good eye! Koko`s so smart. :)

[@futurevideo10]

angelsRsinging I wish we humans respect the harmless kind animals more, and stop killing or hurting them; they have feeling, emotion, thinking and ideas like us. Just because they can't talk it doesn't mean we should treat them like some meats(pun intended).

[@gailryan9321]

futurevideo10 I love KoKo!!!

[@Wolfietherrat]

Future video, she is really one of them. I am sure many gorillas are just as bright.

[@Jackjohnjay]

I love how penny calls her honey. It’s so adorable. She’s an amazing human. So much love and patience.

[@janmarbol]

My dream since I was a child is to meet Koko in person. I would meet Koko before any celebrity in the world!

[@conradfincher8876]

janmarbol samme

[@glowstonestarzaj4922]

Me too, I’m sad she died

[@karenmancina9517]

👍

[@HardcoreZen2k0]

It's amazing how in tune Koko can be across species. I was thinking that Ron wasn't giving a good (positive/reenforcing enough) response to Koko's selection for his picture, especially since she seemed to put a lot of thought into it. When she signed that she was embarrased, I was blown away.

[@Z1Hellrider]

Koko was an absolute sweetheart, heaven holds a special place for her.

[@SWLinPHX]

When she picked out the alligator for Ron she wanted him to know that it wasn't meant as an insult, that she was being "polite". But then she reconsiders and is embarrassed she picked that due to his reaction, so she covers her face in shame.

[@andrewaronson3364]

you're worse than penny

[@SWLinPHX]

Huh?

[@andrewaronson3364]

@@SWLinPHX at making shit up you think the animal is thinking/saying.

[@ashd2189]

@@andrewaronson3364 what the fuck do you think she is doing

[@GentleGazer162]

No he point Ron because she think he is alligator 😂

[@BrookeKelty]

Omg was she embarrassed at the end. Koko is so beautiful 💞💞💞

[@SWLinPHX]

+Brooke Kelty Yes she was, because she picked an alligator for Ron and thought maybe he will be insulted or something.

[@BrookeKelty]

awwww

[@pleaseenteraname8211]

Shufei I wonder if she can sign the n word but just chooses not to

[@deetru1610]

@@pleaseenteraname8211 LMFAO!!!!!!!!

[@simonyricools]

Beautifully put, my friend.

[@wintermoons1215]

It's funny how she seems to taste things--she touched her tongue to both the envelope and the card inside. It's also amazing how she know how to open the envelope without ripping the card!

[@breAnnasmama]

wintermoons1215 all humans have similar feature when trying new food experiencing new things , that while Maybe not into adulthood ( although for those of us who were blind into childhood , our senses of smell were strong and relied on it with new things. So this remind me when koko do it , that she was relying on instinct and olfactory senses In order to understand this new thing and to investigate it. :)! Even after I have many surgeries , can see now where I was blind for many years and when I was first born, was blind , I still noticed if I try food I will rely on smell before attempting to eat it and people have said things to me about it 😂. I was embarrassed for myself st first but now not really. Is part of life and survival !!

[@myriamrosado4281]

Awww such an strong and big animal but yet so gentle and thoughtful and caring of hurting anyone's feelings. I love me some Koko. I hope she is around for alot longer so she can keep teaching us to be more caring cause we seem to have lost that a long time ago

[@ryc796]

Well, I've got some bad news for you. R.I.P. Koko

[@SWLinPHX]

Penny: You're polite! Koko: "burp!"

[@pongo1342]

The fact that she can recognize not only pictures but a drawing of a cat is amazing

[@xmartellax7799]

I like how she licks her finger to go to next page I just think this video is hilarious

[@fabulousblossom]

aww she kisses the cat pictures, how sweet of her

[@samwithaplan]

I love how she "kisses" everything before doing something, like opening that envelope. She's so precious!

[@nick_no1]

Incredible creature, so loveable and full of love

[@equisader]

I was watching this video and my initial (positive) reaction was that she easily has thr intelligence of a child but i'm pretty sure it's way beyond that. She is communicating coherently in a foreign language. She is waaay smarter than a child. Imagine the nuances she could express speaking "gorilla". She was so beautiful. So sad to learn she is no longer with us. What a pity koko and harambe could never cross paths. What amazing gorilla babies they would have had!

[@Carl-ld5jy]

Koko had the approximate intelligence of a 2-year-old.

[@terrazasvictim5441]

I just adore her trainers voice. It’s so soothing.

[@sylvialeandry7622]

koko is amazing

[@pancakes.9430]

Wow I'm amazed at how she can thumb through pages fast like we do when we browse through books. I'm just getting to know koko.

[@SWLinPHX]

There's no real words, just pictures. It is a picture book.

[@pancakes.9430]

I know that haha :) I'm just surprised she could do something like that! :)

[@SWLinPHX]

Pancakes. Especially since she made sure there were no book pages stuck together; watch at 2:57

[@pancakes.9430]

oh wow I never noticed that! she is so smart :)

[@SWLinPHX]

Pancakes. Do yourself a favor and watch her first video documentary from 1978: "Koko, A Talking Gorilla". It is here on KZbin in its 90 min. entirety. It's when most of the world first learned about Koko.

[@lunaryune]

awwwww koko really likes kitties! I like kitties too xD

[@Mightilyoats]

She’s a cat lady through and through

[@LaurenAnyone]

I love how when Penny says "you have your finger in his mouth! Be careful!" Koko was like, "uhhh... The alligator is fake..."

[@protoolsfanatic7276]

watching KOKO always blows my freaking mind.

[@mario167100]

This makes me wonder how koko would react to playing video games. Imaging getting rekt on call of duty by her.

[@Ninjaananas]

She wouldn't be good in playing.

[@justinsmoot8107]

yes she would.

[@justinsmoot8107]

i would.

[@dannystoffel3589]

i would teach her belgian politics so she can rejoin her species

[@PatrizzaEatsApizza]

Danny, that's an insult to Koko

[@Sizifus]

See? Everyone loves cats! Alright, all jokes aside, Koko's capabilities are damn impressive and inspiring. One more example of how we are all connected in biological sense. This helps me to appreciate life even more.

[@footypete85]

koko is socute and she obviously loves cats and can point them out from anywhere, she is so amazing wow!

[@juanjosenogalesgomez]

Que ternura me da la gorila koko. Koko is love. ♥️♥️♥️

[@meganbyrne436]

I love the way she loves her cats and kisses the pictures. I love Koko so much, she is truly amazing and it shows how intelligent a lot of animals are. We could learn a lot from Koko ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@hendrikasunqrout571]

I miss KOKO very much. RIP baby girl.

[@happywolves80]

My new never ending addiction to watch koko every single day😍

[@AJScraps]

Beautiful creature. Wish she coulda had a baby one way or another :(

[@ZombieQueen819]

I would have been just like Penny! After my class or college degree was done there would be no way on this earth I could have walked away from Koko!! The love 💕 is unconditional between them both❤❤❤

[@joegaito702]

What can't koko do she is one of the smartest gorilla ever named koko learned alot from her at least koko is with her cats and friend robin Williams RIP to the both of them you will be missed appreciate you guys thanks for being so detailed ! Joe

[@ZorlacSkater]

Damn, somehow i can't believe that this is real, this is so amazing

[@emirking8159]

Koko you are so cute and i love to watch you but you are not here anymore but we know that you still live in our hearts

[@adamdesanti6713]

When Koko puts her finger in the mouth of the alligator picture and then signs "fake" just shows her subtle sense of humour. She's like hee-hee I can do this right now with the mortal enemy of the gorilla because this one is clearly fake. Penny says there are times she'll string together certain words to make a joke.

[@dale3858]

I'm usually a very unhappy person, but all I can do is smile when I watch Koko...

[@joegaito702]

Very smart and bright animals best wishes to animals like koko you will be missed RIP thanks. Joe

[@kaylak6014]

Koko is so amazing. She melts my heart!

[@WillowJule18]

Just can't stop watching the videos of Koko! They warm my heart

[@ethereal_land]

I love how koko just loves cats

[@sapphire48481]

Thank you Koko for sharing your life with us-a blessing indeed.

[@PauIdenino]

Koko was smart and beautiful, may she rest in peace ❤

[@BambooSue11]

Koko is so passionate, so sweet, so amazing. Gotta love her.

[@AquaCivic1]

Penny, i think you are an amazing person. Your bond with Koko is unbelievable, and its so strong!

[@fancysfolly554]

KoKo girl...♥️ such a sweet loving soul...a little girl’s soul.. 🙁

[@charlottevarney7268]

I think its amazing how Smart she was 😊❤ and gentle 😍

[@rosgembrun]

Fascinating and endearing. Koko beautiful.

[@sgtmajvimy]

Koko is such a lovely person.

[@seankennedy5074]

Koko is hands down my favourite person.

[@barbieholly9861]

This is incredible!! Love you Koko!! ❤️💖💕

[@katrinamelody]

I find this just incredible. What an amazing creature.

[@HeartlessGorre]

awesome. gives me hope that one day our species can understand one another

[@powerstroke304]

HeartlessGorre this is proof that we can today.

[@kikosawa]

If we will, there would be conflict. Gorillas should remain the wild animals or they will be crushed by us. We must protect their habitats at all cost.

[@redhotchillinpeppers]

Her signing at the end is very interesting. I wonder if she's trying to communicate that she's embarassed of her fear of alligators, or if she's trying to say she thinks Ron is scary but in a polite way haha. Its so entertaining to wonder what she's thinking.

[@lauraelmore12]

There well never be another like koko she was a very special one of a kind gorilla. Wished I had got to meet her. He mom was special too. She had a beautiful spirit.

[@kenmayfield3739]

And she opened the envelope! Bless her .

[@pommiebears]

Isn’t she magnificent? Awesome, really awesome. I adore her! 🌸

[@rebeloneal4592]

The kind of heart in this Woman. Love to meet her for an hour...

[@glowstonestarzaj4922]

Rebel Oneal Koko?

[@breAnnasmama]

Aww KOKO!!!💗she was so precious! I wish I could have didn’t time with her !!!!!!

[@dickbuelow8968]

Koko is amazing, so is his trainer

[@ell3y0]

Dick Buelow Koko is a she

[@Gonindunit2]

A wonderful angel. Rest in Heaven, sweet Koko. Thank God you had humans who loved you so dearly.

[@glowstonestarzaj4922]

Jan Turner Dude shes alice

[@glowstonestarzaj4922]

‘Alive

[@acspeter7]

Beautiful and gentle soul

[@Sparklytank]

Koko is so sweet.

[@judipodgurski5083]

She is so beautiful and amazing !!!

[@H4CK41D]

Wow! I forgot about that book until this moment of seeing it! I had that book as a child and it was my favourite but forgot all about it till now, thanks for reminding me Koko! Good memories, I always loved reading :) x

[@shittykittyification]

Koko makes me happy:)

[@SWLinPHX]

I'm glad you discovered them. They make me happy watching them too. :)

[@HaniiPuppy]

What a magnificent creature :)

[@hungfao]

She is simply remarkable.

[@joemusicman64]

After watching all these videos it seems like Penny really loves her Koko. Very cute to see them interact.

[@RaresM]

So powerful and but so gentle though...

[@Blendre]

I love Koko

[@jarhar007]

She really loved cats.

[@lorellifenstad7451]

Koko you are the best.

[@user82299]

I love koko so much she is so so sweet,and cute.

[@DjBassWolf]

What a wonderful lady.

[@WetakingyomoneyisY.Unotworhtit]

I fell in love with coco.

[@anitajinfla9762]

❤❤❤Koko. Id love to meet her. Lovely soul she has. If only we humans all had the same....

[@traceygraham1160]

She is so clever and adorable

[@cdnerin]

I love how she almost always gives stuff a little bitty taste with just the tip of her tongue. She is an amazing gorilla. Penny is an amazing human being. I only just discovered Koko's videos a couple of weeks ago, and I am so glad I did -- I think I am a better human being for learning about her. I have now seen the 8-part documentary and so many of the little KokoFlix videos. I am utterly in awe of Koko and Penny, too -- she has given up having much of a personal life for Koko's wellbeing.

[@L0v32run]

AWWWW. Koko loves kittens.

[@glitterpenguines123]

I like how she can recognize the pictures of kitties too. So sweet. I'd love to have a conversation with her about kitties lol

[@valerieclaudio6727]

I love you KoKo ♥️

[@tctreal]

This is too amazing!!

[@itsroza625]

aww she is cute and very very smart

[@mrdoggo6094]

That is amazing and heartwarming

[@jaceylataire2511]

What a joy... ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@dani2314a]

Koko is seriously one of the most amazing creatures I've ever seen. I'm no scientist, but the work with Koko fascinates me.

[@Kehwanna]

R.I.P Koko.