Who Is Koko?
Koko was a western lowland gorilla widely known for learning a modified form of American Sign Language. She was born in 1971 and became a central figure in primate communication research.
Is Koko Still Alive?
Koko is no longer alive. She passed away on June 19, 2018, at the age of 46. Her death was confirmed by The Gorilla Foundation, which managed her care and research programs.
Koko’s Legacy and Current Status
Although Koko is deceased, her impact on animal cognition studies continues. Researchers and educators still reference her work when discussing primate communication and emotional intelligence. For more background, see the Gorilla Foundation’s overview.
