I've been helping The Gorilla Foundation for the past few months. Heard of it? Probably not. But I'll lay odds that you or your friends have heard of Koko - the 260-pound lowland gorilla who communicates with humans.
Koko was a one year-old at the San Francisco Zoo who was not doing well when Dr. Penny Patterson took her under her care, raising her on a private preserve in Northern California. A psychologist completing her PhD, Dr. Patterson wanted to study whether gorillas could communicate with us in an intelligible way. Turns out they can.
Koko proceeded to learn an abbreviated form of ASL (American Sign Language) that enables her to use over 1000 signs to communicate. She understands about 2000 spoken words, and can read at a corresponding level. I'm not exaggerating (check it out by viewing the links two-thirds of the way down this page).
Since then, Koko has been the subject of several books, articles and films, and has gained quite a following. Betty White, Robin Williams, Sting, Peter Gabriel and William Shatner have all met and interacted with her. So have quite a few of the Who's Who in the Northern California Bay Area.
As fascinating as it is to watch and hear Koko interact and communicate in a genuine way with others, there's also the disquieting backdrop of the perils facing gorillas. Like so many animals, they are endangered, less so from encroachment on their habitat and more so because of poachers. Their meat is prized as a delicacy, and their hands for medicinal powers (Diane Fossey's murder in Africa in 1985 is attributed to poachers).
One of the pillar initiatives undertaken by the Foundation is educating governments and people in Africa about this plight. Their strategy: develop empathy for gorillas by demonstrating the ability of gorillas to communicate with people, thereby pressing the reset button on attitudes regarding the exploitation of them.
Back to the bright side.
This year, on July 4, 2011, Koko turns 40. She'll get some special treats that day, a cake, and lots of cards from her followers and admirers. She loves the attention. There's even a little contest for her almost 1000 Twitter followers of Koko (@KokoTweets) who can submit a haiku in honor of her birthday. Yes, even Gorillas are into social networks, too.
If you get the chance, send Koko a greeting (she does read them!). If you have the inclination, submit a haiku.
Koko was a one year-old at the San Francisco Zoo who was not doing well when Dr. Penny Patterson took her under her care, raising her on a private preserve in Northern California. A psychologist completing her PhD, Dr. Patterson wanted to study whether gorillas could communicate with us in an intelligible way. Turns out they can.
Koko proceeded to learn an abbreviated form of ASL (American Sign Language) that enables her to use over 1000 signs to communicate. She understands about 2000 spoken words, and can read at a corresponding level. I'm not exaggerating (check it out by viewing the links two-thirds of the way down this page).
As fascinating as it is to watch and hear Koko interact and communicate in a genuine way with others, there's also the disquieting backdrop of the perils facing gorillas. Like so many animals, they are endangered, less so from encroachment on their habitat and more so because of poachers. Their meat is prized as a delicacy, and their hands for medicinal powers (Diane Fossey's murder in Africa in 1985 is attributed to poachers).
One of the pillar initiatives undertaken by the Foundation is educating governments and people in Africa about this plight. Their strategy: develop empathy for gorillas by demonstrating the ability of gorillas to communicate with people, thereby pressing the reset button on attitudes regarding the exploitation of them.
Back to the bright side.
This year, on July 4, 2011, Koko turns 40. She'll get some special treats that day, a cake, and lots of cards from her followers and admirers. She loves the attention. There's even a little contest for her almost 1000 Twitter followers of Koko (@KokoTweets) who can submit a haiku in honor of her birthday. Yes, even Gorillas are into social networks, too.
If you get the chance, send Koko a greeting (she does read them!). If you have the inclination, submit a haiku.
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