Koko The Gorilla Uses ASL 'Voice of Nature'

WATCH [CC] - New Year message from Koko the Gorilla, who urges humanity to stop destroying the planet goes viral.

Koko the Gorilla has used sign language to deliver a 60 second message telling humans to stop killing the earth has been making the rounds on the Internet in recent days.

Given by a gorilla in American Sign Language, it is among the more unusual messages for the New Year. Koko was filmed delivering a 38-word bulletin about how ‘stupid’ mankind is harming the Earth.

In the 60-second video, the 44-year-old great ape, which has been learning sign language since she was one, said: ‘I am gorilla, I am flowers, animals. I am nature. Koko love man. Earth Koko love.

‘But man stupid… stupid! Koko sorry, Koko cry. Time hurry. Fix Earth! Help Earth! Hurry! Protect Earth. Nature watches you. Thank you.’

The message was scripted by NOE Conservation, based in France, whose main focus is preserving biodiversity, and The Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, California, where Koko has lived since 1979, immersed in human company.

She is said to be able to understand 1,000 words of American Sign Language and 2,000 words of spoken English, but there has been controversy about whether her own use of signs is simple, reward-related mimicry or something more meaningful.

The video was made to help get NOE Conservation’s message across for the recent UN Climate Conference in Paris.

A spokesman for The Gorilla Foundation: ‘Because of her unique ability to communicate with humans in sign language, Koko is a natural ambassador for endangered species.

‘We presented her with a script drafted by NOE and allowed her to improvise during a series of brief daily video discussion sessions. The result was edited from a number of separate takes, for brevity and continuity.’ The spokesman said Koko had to learn ‘a few new signs’ for the video including ‘protect’ and ‘nature’.

What most people don't know, however, is that Koko was an avid Robin Williams' movie fan. As ET reported, when Robin Williams took a trip out to meet Koko for the show, not only did Koko immediately wrap her arms around Williams and embrace him, she did what she'd always seen him do onscreen.

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Related: Koko’s Tribute To Robin Williams Goes Viral

Koko’s Tribute To Robin Williams Goes Viral

Koko the gorilla mourning the loss of celebrity star Robin Williams.

LOS ANGELES, California -- Robin Williams met Koko in 2001. It was a very cheerful encounter for both, and Koko has treasured it to this day. When Koko learned of Robin’s passing (on Aug. 11, 2014) she became very sad. We hope this video will lift her spirits and remind everyone of the profound gift of joy that Robin Williams brought to our world.

The two met in 2001 and became fast friends. Robin Williams touched not just the lives of people, but also some of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Robin Williams met Koko, the gorilla who communicates in sign language, at The Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, Calif. The two immediately became friends.

The actor, who would later describe the meeting as “unforgettable,” filmed a PSA with Koko for the foundation in 2004 to raise awareness of environmental threats to the species. Williams also accepted the post of honorary co-chair for the foundation’s campaign to create the Maui Ape Preserve... Read The Full Story.

Related: Koko The Gorilla Uses ASL 'Voice of Nature'