Koko's Quest for a Baby

Koko has been telling us for some time, via sign language and play behavior, that she wants to raise a baby gorilla and have a larger family. Helping Koko adopt a baby and some female companions to complete a family group with her male companion, Ndume, has thus become one of the Gorilla Foundation's primary initiatives. There are many indications that Koko would teach her baby to sign, creating exciting possibilities for new avenues of interspecies communication research, and enabling breakthroughs in captive gorilla care management and conservation. Koko would then be able to transmit both her culture and her ambassadorial responsibilities to the next generation.

[@alexisgorgeous3968]

aww. KoKo was practically explaining why she deserves a baby (by saying she's polite, etc.).. I feel bad. I feel like she was explaining that there's no difference between her and a human, and that she's a living being w/ emotions, thoughts, etc. as well.

[@SWLinPHX]

You're probably right, which makes it more precious but sadder too.

[@vika0194]

Alexis Gorgeous When Koko says "polite" she means "please/excuse me"

[@elsavage9690]

It means she's politely asking for a baby ..

[@gabinathan5499]

Alexis Gorgeous KOKO IS not the only 1 who wishes for a baby Ì DO2. UNFORTUNATELY this WISH WILL never come true for me . Ì have always had to compromise +always will sadĺy.

[@Babesinthewood97]

Exactly. Oh I wish she'd have a baby. Why was it so difficult to find one? Aren't babies orphaned often due to poaching?

[@tardmeat]

It breaks my heart that Koko never got a baby.

[@cupcakecrazy1219]

she did she got a kitten

[@TheMyth1312]

+Cupcakecrazy 121 that died

[@TheMyth1312]

It did

[@TheMyth1312]

Inspector_ Alex it did

[@Hilda_ogden]

Inspector_ Alex She got a new one a couple of years ago and she has it still.

[@cathharr08]

My heart just breaks for sweet Koko. I can’t imagine her pain of wanting something so much and never being able to have it. She’s so smart she must be so frustrated.

[@margaritas516]

Why can't she have a baby?

[@kikosawa]

@@margaritas516 she couldn't mainly because zoos association wouldn't want her to reproduce.

[@angelkat333]

@@margaritas516It’s 5 years later but apparently Koko was too old at this point. They tried to help her adopt an abandoned or orphaned baby gorilla via other rescues and zoos, but they couldn’t get one.

[@elizabethstein369]

I'd trust her with a human baby. Call that cruel but she'd be a better mother than some humans would be.

[@WarriorKogaFan]

That is true, but she would try to put the baby on her back, and possible climb with it on her and would fall, maybe when she can't climb at the time I would give her a human baby, but not with her in her enclosure XD

[@winykittygirl]

AMEN!!!🤗🌷💕💕

[@Guineapig-yo6fi]

As smart as apes are, human children are very different from apes. The child would most likely fall or be hurt on accident by Koko, because Koko knows what baby apes can handle, humans aren’t as strong when they are like 2 months old. Also another comment said that the child would fall when Koko would try to put it on her back, and I think that is true.

[@stephenbrand5661]

Why do cute animals make people say stupid things like this??

[@theworthysoul]

Guineapig1227 Fey sadly yes, our babies are quite pathetic compared to primates.

[@AnonEMouse-iz4gg]

Can Koko's care givers please allow her to babysit or adopt an orphaned baby gorilla? This poor lady needs to be a mother before she dies of natural causes. 😢 My wacky hormonal tears are real for you Miss Koko, I hope you get your wish before your time on Earth is up.

[@1215298]

They're trying But her current partners couldn't impregnate her and laws are restricting her adopting one

[@jessiejames7492]

it wasnt in their plans.

[@juliefrankel6241]

jessie james 8&

[@juliefrankel6241]

a

[@lydiasmith7274]

because someone doesn'tn't want them communicating with us this could change the world..think about it

[@samanthabrown7281]

Makes my heart hurt. She's so beautiful

[@anveransari4934]

Samantha Brown baccy Sam

[@anveransari4934]

Samantha Brown sddxdgofv

[@GordosMama1111]

why did i click on this? omg i seriously cannot stop crying. poor koko. i cant have kids either and its so hard. i wish i could hug her!

[@kngkrl22]

Koko would make an excellent surrogate mother towards a orphan baby gorilla

[@raea3588]

It's been my dream to meet Koko for 20 years. Just to talk to her, touch her hand, maybe give her a hug if she wants one. She's such a beautiful creature. I know sign language and to communicate with her would be the most awesome experience of my life!

[@SWLinPHX]

If you know ASL then you could instantly "talk" to an animal getting a response, something people only dreamed of.

[@raea3588]

***** There were rumors of that. It turned out it was another Gorilla who died that she lived with, Michael (I believe was his name).

[@SWLinPHX]

***** She'll be 43 in just 5 days. Michael was two years younger and died in 2000 of heart failure.

[@raea3588]

I wonder how I could send her a Birthday card?

[@raea3588]

Perhaps "being" would be a better description. She's not human but she is such a beautiful creature and she does have language and can, therefore express herself in ways that are truly remarkable. What living anything that walks this earth does not wish to be better understood. That's what this program and the ASL has done for Koko. And she has reached our hearts because of it!

[@joannah9275]

Koko's whole life has been lived for people and science and she has, knowingly or not, sacrificed all aspects of a normal life for this cause. She doesn't understand why she can't have a baby when she has been good. It breaks my heart to see such a sweet, loving, intelligent creature not be able to fulfill her most basic, instinctual need to have a baby.

[@winykittygirl]

Ok.. you just make me snot cry😭😭 Especially knowing Koko is now gone. The fact that she was taken out of her habitat, to become a HUMAN experiment is DISGUSTING, DEPLORABLE, AND SICKENING!!

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

They didn’t care about her needs :(

[@Itskaygurl]

I completely agree with you my thoughts exactly but I also think I remember that she can’t get pregnant.

[@tamaraj4200]

They tried to breed her but never worked.

[@Remimi_in_prison]

@@winykittygirl she wasn't taken out of anything, she was born into captivity and became too sick to leave, she was raised the best she could have been in that environment for years before the idea of teaching her sign language, do your fucking research before making senseless accusations

[@SolarSailors]

I want to meet koko so bad.

[@SWLinPHX]

If you had 5 minutes with her what would you ask or say?

[@SolarSailors]

I dont think I'd ask or say anything in particular. mostly just listen to what koko had to say, and maybe ask some follow up questions. nothing deep or personal. I'd just like to say hi and ask whats up.

[@SWLinPHX]

I would want to know if she realizes how famous and loved she is around the world and how many people follow her life. I'd also want her to know that we know she wants a baby and we are sorry she hasn't been able to get one. I would also ask if she is happy or if she wishes she was around more gorillas or outdoors more.

[@sqwirt1782]

SWLinPHX If I had a baby gorilla, I would try to give it to koko :D

[@jessikasworld4625]

SolarSailors me too

[@allankahar918]

if she has a baby she will teach her baby

[@ExtraOni]

yes, it will be so cute

[@lydiasmith7274]

that's why she won't get one. someone doesn't want them communicating with humans

[@packofmilk7408]

@@lydiasmith7274 stfup

[@synishere]

We should try doing that, teach gorillas sign language so they could teach them sign language and start generations of speaking gorillas.

[@nitsagamer3111]

@@synishere The sad thing is some of the zoo people really don't want that because some experts say its a matter of time before gorilla's out evolve humans or go extinct. So ye its sad and I hope we get more ASL gorillas

[@LucasMatheus182]

Can you imagine not knowing enough words to express how you feel? Koko was so smart and capable of learning so much more!

[@pancakewafflewarrior]

Aww, c'mon! Just give her a babbyyyy

[@LaChicaDeMex]

someone please GIVE this nice, polite Gorrilla a baby!!! he is a kind, sweet, heart, loving, gorrilla. that is by him self he want to take care and love someone. a baby that he can care for and take care of it..

[@AnarchyJesus]

+KPOP Updates its a girl

[@LaChicaDeMex]

lol thanks :) now i know. its a SHE :)

[@lilly7987]

I dnt understand why she hasn't gotten a baby yet she clearly begging for one its sad to watch

[@Leyla7292]

@Romina Reyes Sad & tragic 2 hear 😔 Poor Koko 💔😥

[@user-wo5nx7sg4b]

@Romina Reyes the story has been mistold time and time again out of the studies blind desire to money via donations. Koko was the one whom was refusing all potential suitors. It got to the point where the male gorilla began to suffer from loneliness due to Koko's refusal to interact with him. The zoo keepers lobbied to have the male returned to only fall upon deaf ears with false claims and hope that "progress' was being made; which was only to prop the study and keep the money flowing in. Sadly Koko herself had no interest and went through multiple males where mating for the males is an innate and almost compulsory desire when of age. What is even more odd to those whom have studied the claims of Koko's trainer/handler is that if she was able to understand such abstracts ideas via sign, the act of mating should be simple to understand via the use of showing Koko film of other gorillas doing as reinforcement. So either Koko did not understand nearly close to the ability that the handlers claimed or perhaps she was actually homosexual hence the lack of desire to be with any males and the inability to mate. Plus it would actually account for the odd behavior where Koko insisted on seeing female breasts of the staff, and it actually became somewhat dangerous when she would get excited . I know it sounds like a tall tale but several law suits were filed by ex staff .

[@giov7]

@@user-wo5nx7sg4b how do you know all this?

[@SanKissJuice]

I can relate with Koko. I went through 2 intense phases of the body signalling for babies. We are always together, Koko. Bound by our gentleness and compassion.

[@Jackjohnjay]

I love how respectful Penny was of this, how she understood and tried to make it happen.

[@NolaChick82]

It must be very frustrating for Koko, I would imagine, to have such intelligence, but not to be able to communicate verbally. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it. ha.

[@sandys1890]

She communicates in complete sentences and has even made up her own phrases...has no trouble communicating

[@khmeradjecftkne7071]

Nola Chick

[@Temp_Tation19]

QA

[@oliviaharbel4681]

No last Chick 🐥

[@sandralee9155]

Nola Chick ur so rite! They have high IQs like normal humans but can't speak! that would make humans claustrophobic! a

[@jessmjfan989]

Omg, how i wish i could give her a baby gorilla, she would be an EXCELLENT mother i tell ya! Im in love with her now i wish i could meet her!

[@Jellybeans630]

give Koko a baby!

[@FilthyMcNasty69]

ill give you a baby

[@jahinsadman9077]

@@FilthyMcNasty69 bruh

[@leewatkins7663]

i have watched nearly all the KoKo videos, my god what a beautiful and gentle lady she is. i would love to meet her and spend just a little time with this lovely creature. fantastic

[@icharful]

I really hope she can become a mummy soon! She will make such a loving mum

[@kkbaby30]

I feel so bad for her in captivity, but she is doing a great service to humans in helping us understand the species around us and ourselves more.

[@Itskaygurl]

She thinks and feels like an empathetic human. I feel all animals do but can’t express it ways people comprehend.

[@MOHITSINGH-lx6by]

man should leave some part of this earth for animals.

[@elvenleaf5589]

I love them in my tummy

[@molliewhite-evans473]

Koko seems to love & care for a Baby & deserve it, more than I have seen & know a Human Mother caring for a Precious Child..

[@pipistrello842]

I love Gorillas. Such intelligent, amazing creatures. Thy can communicate brain thoughts (If taught how,) and Koko is just Fabulous.

[@MsFlamingFlamer]

I’m bawling my eyes out. What a sweet girl she was. I want a baby too so I know exactly how she was feeling. 😭❤️

[@cherylleaf7925]

New Zealand says "GIVE KOKO A BABY!".It's what she needs.We are all hoping & praying that her dream will eventuate. She has given so much of herself to us &science. Surely, this is the least we can do for her. Kia kaha tonu e Koko,( keep being strong Koko) We love you!

[@ExtraOni]

I will time share my first born. She can watch it on weekends!!!

[@BeanieTheBodach]

I hope she does get a baby. She's such a sweetheart and she'd be an awesome mom. :)

[@shellturable]

I wish every day for KoKo to have the family she so desperately wants.

[@TabbyAngel2]

GIVE KOKO A BABY. We should start a petition

[@awokenvanguard4850]

For the 100th times I've said this to 100 people THEY'RE TRYING

[@htaste]

Koko would make a wonderful parent. I'm quite shocked that it's taking this long to find her a baby, it has to happen. I send all my purrs and kisses to Koko and Penny from Finland!

[@rae2732]

I love animals way way way way more than people

[@WarriorKogaFan]

I know how you feel XD

[@toaste9026]

Even though it is people who provide everything for you? "Thanks society for making it possible for me to sit using the technology you made, and watch videos of animals, whilst you all do your duty to the community to make sure everything runs smoothly enough for me to have the oppurtunity to sit on my arse and do something completely unproductive. But I appreciate the animals more than I appreciate you."

[@ashimadaniel31]

Rae Zaps me too

[@elvenleaf5589]

@@kickasskittypatriot6464 i love animals in my tummy

[@elvenleaf5589]

@@kickasskittypatriot6464 my grandpa are a butcher and everytime i see him he slaughter a lamb for me and i love it

[@CrazyForNYCLights]

Words cannot describe how amazing KoKo is :)

[@flyoffthewitchesbroomhandl8723]

Why doesn't she have a baby already or did she ever have one? Please let her have a baby. She would make a great Mom!

[@Safklullslam]

HTC Yorkshire the

[@theresagraham5893]

This lady is the absolute best. Nobody could do such a beautiful job of raising this sweet girl than Penny Patterson.

[@jillsmith5303]

Beautiful beautiful special creature. I hope with all my heart that her wish comes true,

[@dreyaleesings]

shes so smart. i can see her being such a good mom.

[@soul7530]

Dont know why people are saying how hard it is for her to mate or to find a male because if you listen it says at the start they are looking for a special needs baby for her shes like 42 now so highly unlikely to be able to have a baby of her own plus the fact that even paired with a male she would not have a clue how to read the body language of the male. I hope they do find a special baby for her it seems sad that she might never get what she yearns for

[@sleesullivan2796]

Gorillas don't have menopause as humans do. They can be reproductive up to their last year. Weirdly, only humans and elephants experience menopause.

[@velocidino]

What about dogs tho?

[@EC2019]

Dogs don't have a menopause. Pilot whales are another species which has one.

[@iamwhoisayiam4194]

and she had been with a gorilla named Micheal and he passed. And she also had another mate, cant remember his name. KoKo is gone now. She passed June 19 2018. Rest In Peace Sweet KoKo!!

[@DarlyFofa]

Koko is so amazing! She is so loving and caring with her dolls, kittens and humans. I think we all have a lot to learn from her.

[@larrysmith7348]

I love koko more then most people I've met she is an absolute doll

[@edymadrid6806]

I'm so late but is she still alive?😟

[@ED-hf7jz]

Yes Koko is still alive and well

[@thischannelhasbeendeletedb8231]

Edy Madrid yes

[@elliebabe155]

Edy Madrid yes she’s 46 years old :)

[@moonshiro]

And did she got a baby?? :(

[@MultiNustiu]

yes, she is doing amazing so is they blonde lady that takes care of her, i don't think they spend time without each other, unfortuntley Koko did not get her baby yet.

[@karenharrisonbinette]

This girl has so much love to give. Surely there is some little creature out there in need of love.

[@jessiejames7492]

give her a human baby and see how she reacts. i bet shell be a better mother than many humans

[@m.shyamganeesh7421]

better than the parents reason for harambes death

[@jessiejames7492]

so sad .Damian aspinall's father , JOHN said its acrime to keep animals in captivity and not let them be able to breed and act on their natural instincts. What this experiment does is going against everything that KOKO was meant to do thts natural

[@dawnjones82]

aww, she's so loving and desperate for someone to look after

[@laurastewart1964]

Koko is so smart what a beautiful animal

[@LyricsThatFly]

give her a baby gorilla she wud be the best mom

[@MrCrytpic]

Give Koko a baby she is so intelligent this made me. Cry😭

[@isabellainnorway]

Disgusting. She should be able to have her own baby without asking humans for permission. She is being so humanized for the sake of "science" that the humans studying her have lost sight that she is their equal but not of the same species. Shame on them!

[@ronnieway1]

I agree with you! The poor thing want's a baby so bad, she even tried to breast feed a toy baby duck? And worst of all, the poor thing lives in a trailer for the love of God!

[@1215298]

You seem to be ignoring the fact they tried getting multiple partners to impregnate her and have tried getting an adoption for a baby gorilla but are currently being stopped by laws on animal trade

[@oldphe1733]

You are a scourge of the earth

[@awokenvanguard4850]

Aren't you guys dead they're trying to find her a mate she's not asking permission plus they're taking good care of her and she already bonded with a human you can't just leave her into the wild like that that would be called cruel cos your like abandoning her

[@awokenvanguard4850]

+Christina Poisson and also her home was destroyed by loggers plus it's too dangerous in the wild she could get killed at least she's safe and ur way too over dramatic like seriously calm the fuck down your acting like they're abusing her but she's not being abused like seriously take some chill pills for fuck sake

[@L0v32run]

Oh, poor Koko! I really hope she gets a baby soon. She would make a wonderful mother.

[@brandtmccall5184]

Interspecies communication with Koko is brilliant, she is teaching us all so much, I am inspired by how compassionate and loving she is with all creatures great and small whom come her way from the kittens she adopts and new people she meets. Gorillas are vegan, thus we clearly do not need meat to be healthy or strong, and as Koko displays they are kind to all other creatures unless threatened I have seen this in nature programs about Gorilla's too. I know lots of people are increasingly vegan as they realize they cannot support hurting any other animal at all, it is healthier too. Meat is a cause of many kinds of cancer, heart disease, strokes .....

[@amateurmeteorologist7365]

Looks like someone is missing out on a few vital nutrients 😂😂😂

[@xxTheCatsMeow]

I would be so happy if Koko finally got to have a baby. I'm sure there are a lot of orphan baby gorillas out there, Koko would be such a great mother, I really hope this happens for her!!

[@samsupnet1058]

Please get her a real baby gorilla

[@aves504]

im literally crying at her explaining why she should have a baby and calling herself a person i hope she gets a baby before she dies, even if she probably is too old now

[@angieREEDY]

I bet she asks why is she there. Why am I in a cage. I want to be free.

[@awokenvanguard4850]

They're taking good care of her plus she's probably used to captivity right now at least she's happy and healthy not being abused or anything plus she has a human friend it'll be shit just to leave her in the wild like that it's like abandoning a unwanted child

[@shaynelahmed6323]

I bet she does too.

[@MissNea9]

Koko is very sweet and seems wonderful, she acts just like a mother would to her own. She has so much love to give...she does deserve a baby.

[@stephaniedufour3278]

Ça me fait tellement de la peine pour elle, elle aurait fait une bonne maman, KoKo était une boule d'amour et d'intelligence plus que certains humains 🫶🫶🫶love KOKO RIP ❤️🙏

[@alissabayne2467]

I love Koko she looks like she won't hurts a fly.

[@TheCheekaboom13]

I love you Koko... You have such a bigger heart than some people.

[@christinebourke5860]

I have watch a few of these videos with Koko but so far I have not seen her outdoors at all. I can see she is a beautiful girl but like any other animal or human she needs sunshine and fresh air every day.

[@hirniner9067]

koko deserved to be a mother. a lot more than some human mothers i know.

[@filmwritersproject9986]

Really hope she gets one. This one should be a good fit : gawker.com/worlds-loneliest-gorilla-baby-will-just-find-a-new-fami-1675593960

[@faith91071]

So sad that she never had a baby. She would’ve been an incredible mother.

[@iangibson3137]

poor gorrila should be in the jungle with a real baby gorrila...instead of satisfying our ignorance

[@71crm]

Koko is so precious! And in all honesty when I'm watching or talking about her I forget she's an animal! She sort of reminds me of watching my neighbors' granddaughters play-one is 4 and the other is 2 and it seems that they always learn something new every time I see them-I like children a lot and I like Koko because they both remind me that life is simpler than we often let it be. I also love when she watch the newborn baby on TV and she signed "Polite"-she also knows that polite implies being good!

[@sweetieneal8567]

A weekly Tv show is a great idea I would watch I think Koko is wonderful and fascinating.

[@gossemerwings]

I love Koko so much, so much power and such a gentle spirit! ♡♥♡

[@rosgembrun]

Little did she know that she would grow up to be a famous musician. She is so fascinating.

[@RandomTechUniversity]

I hope Koko gets a baby. She is so sweet and loving.

[@chickennugget9995]

koko makes me feel so warm and fuzzy! she is too cute for meh to handle!

[@Zizumia]

This is the most incredible thing I have ever seen. There needs to be a statue of Koko in her honor.

[@acomisgornstrong2531]

Its so sad that she never got a baby even though she really deserved one. I love her so much

[@judipodgurski5083]

Bless her heart. I hope a baby can be found for Koko. I think she would be a wonderful mother, and would teach a baby so much. I would so love to meet with her, and give her some hugs.

[@sunnychanty]

If she can express herself and give reasons for why she deserves a baby. Imagine what pain gorillas and other animals go through when we destroy their habitat. This just proofs the intelligence. We need to be their voice and learn to listen to them.

[@ecb1979]

This video is heartbreaking. Koko has wanted a baby for so long... I wonder how differently her life would have been if she had flourished in her natural habitat 😔

[@mrsvictor9914]

Koko is way too intelligent! Give KoKo baby!!! 😢😢😍😘😇💞

[@Bignumberz]

If Koko ends up with a baby gorilla, I'm going to die from hazardous level of cuteness that would result. Make it happen!

[@garchafpv]

Give her a baby already!!!!! She is soooo sweet!

[@angelkat333]

She was trying to convince her caretakers to let her have a baby. 😢 Explaining how she’d be a good mom. That she’ll be good and quiet, teach sign language, give many kisses and love her baby. She wanted to be a mom so badly. It breaks my heart that she never got her dream. 😭

[@europianbob]

Awh kissing those dolls. So sweet! And incredibly sad. :(

[@ajaysworld7735]

I just want to give Koko a biggg hug and say I love you

[@rabeccamershon84]

This is absolutely amazing I truly wish I could experience something so amazing

[@agiraffe3673]

I can’t hardly watch this, knowing she never got a baby 😭

[@alittlefurtheralmostthere2508]

Koko would have been a wonderful mom

[@janinelykabito-on5526]

How i wish she had a baby too, that would be so wonderful. I just feel sorry for her because she didn't have a chance to have one, even though everybody can see to her that she will be a great mother.

[@SWLinPHX]

She's past menopause now. She's 42 and gorillas live to about 50. Adoption is the only hope now.

[@ardenden-den155]

i wish i could hug koko he's so cute

[@Kissameassa538]

I don’t know why Koko could not be an adoptive mother, she would have been wonderful and loving. ❤️🇬🇧🦍

[@AudreyCeropin]

Breaks my heart she never got her baby. 😭

[@spynke8091]

How amazing is this. This brought tears to my eyes. These people are lucky and I hope one day this primate can be back in the wild😍

[@RejectedManiac]

That is very nice. She needs a family really. When you complete her wish make sure you make a video for all of us to watch.

[@sterrenlaan6]

I know what you mean. You're telling exact the same thing I was thinking. It's late for Koko to have a baby and they should have done this much earlier instead of making plans to take her to maui. There is no time for all this. Great you are an admirer of Koko, I have been since 2009. She is a true miracle and I will keep following her. I hope you will do the same.

[@robertdave]

You've summed up how I feel about this (obviously) better than I did. Thank you.

[@Ragdollcatlove]

fun fact:She wanted a baby really badly but whenever they introduced a mate to her, she beat them up and signed "Too ugly".

[@marbanak]

I have read that in captivity, gorillas live beyond 50 years. At 46, it's hard to escape the impression that Koko's demise was hastened by a broken heart. I'm annoyed that this matter was not resolved somewhere along the way.

[@Deborah-vo1uh]

💗💗 Rest In Peace Koko 💗💗 😥💔 It's heartbreaking that Koko never got the baby she so desperately longed for. 😰

[@Cefffy]

Koko should have a baby! She would be the best mother, I think.