Many scientific studies have been done to establish the intelligence of primates, particularly great apes (Gorillas, Chimpanzees and orang-utans). The capacity to learn and evident intelligence (both cognitive and emotional) of some of the apes concerned has given some almost celebrity status. We have all seen videos and read accounts of gorillas doing extrordinary things in captivity. There are many examples of their apparent ability to display interest and empathy towards other animal species including humans. Perhaps none has become more famous than Koko the gorilla.
Koko, born July 4, 1971 at San Francisco Zoo, is a female western lowland gorilla. She has lived most of her life in Woodside California where she has been the subject of training and study. It is claimed she is able to understand more than 1,000 signs based on American sign language and approximately 2,000 words of spoken English. More than that, she has learned to use sign language to communicate back to humans, displaying impressive cognitive ability and emmotional intelligence. For example, Koko has been recorded telling lies, through sign language, to avoid blame for damage caused by a clumsy and powerful gorilla!
The degree to which Koko truly masters sign language and communicates complex emotions is the subject of scientific controversy, as is the degree to which such mastery demonstrates true language abilities. However, although open to further scientific scrutiny, anyone who has watched the many videos of Koko in action cannot conclude anything other than they are observing an animal with an awareness and intelligence that transcends mere ‘instinct.