Research
What animals did Penny research?
Gorillas
Stanford
How many signs was Michael able to learn? (Hint: it was above 50)
Over 600 signs
San Francisco Zoo
True or false: Michael the gorilla was from Africa.
True
3
What foundation did she start?
The Gorilla Foundation
How many signs was Koko able to learn?
More than 1000 signs
What animals did Koko have throughout her life?
Kittens
True or false: Ndume was a gorilla who never had a mate.
False. Back at the Cincinatti Zoo, he had 3 kids.
How long did her research last?
She researched and recorded data up until Koko's death in 2018. The research lasted for 46 years.
What is Francine's technical job title?
Animal psychologist
True or false: Communication has no impact on the bond between gorillas and humans.
False, it has been proven by Francine's research that when gorillas are able to communiate to their caregiver they feel more content and comfortable around that person.
Who was a famous actor Koko met? (Hint: Mrs. Doubtfire)
Robin Williams
How was Koko initially introduced to Ndume the gorilla?
Koko picked Ndume through an "e-dating" process, but they did not work out as mates and remained close friends.
What aspect of gorillas did she observe?
Communication, specifically their use of sign language
How many awards has she won or helped her organization or Koko win?
5
How would using sign language help assess a gorilla's health?
If a person is able to directly ask a gorilla how they are feeling, and the gorilla is able to respond apporpriately, this is extremely beneficial to evaluate their health. One time, Koko had a toothache and was able to communicate this to her caregivers. She was then able to rank her level of pain using a provided chart, and they helped her get rid of her toothache.
What magazine was Koko and her kitten All Ball on the cover of?
Time Magazine, and the picture won Picture of the Year 1985.
What did Michael the gorilla say to researchers that was groundbreaking?
He was able to communicate that his mom died because of poachers and talk about how he was very sad about it.
What did she conclude from her research?
Koko was able to catch on and learn sign language quickly because gorillas already use their own form of sign language to communicate
True or false: Penny was the first woman to receive the Rolex Award for Enterprise.
True! She won the award in recognition of her study of communication and higher cognitive abilities in gorillas.
How has Francine promoted sign language to gorillas at zoos or other facilities? (Hint: it has something to do with phones)
The Gorilla Foundation created The Koko App, which helps gorilla caregivers learn sign language in order to better the animal's conversation and well-being.
Did Koko ever have a mate?
No, she stayed single
How did Michael contribute to Penny's research?
He retold the story of how he became a bushmeat orphan, and this was able to lead researchers to further investigate how to help other bushmeat orphans overcome their PTSD, and begin to consider how to offer therapy to these creatures at bushmeat orphanages in Africa.