Koko demonstrates levels of awareness similar to humans

Koko is looking at a sign language dictionary and points to the sign "wet" in the book. Penny tries to explain the sign to Koko. Then Penny notices that Koko's tongue is "brilliant pink" (Koko had been drawing with non-toxic marker pens, which she tried to taste). To show Koko how pink her tongue is, Penny brings a mirror. Koko is quite adept at using mirrors, and after looking at her tongue, notices that she has glitter on her nose, tries to remove it, and then examines her tongue again (signing "red frown-mouth frown-red").

It used to be thought that only humans could recognize themselves in mirrors, and display self-awareness. Thanks to studies like Project Koko, we now know that all great apes have this ability.

Lesson: Koko demonstrates levels of awareness similar to humans.

Date Added: Aug 1, 2007
Videographer: Ron Cohn

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Koko
• GSL
• Gorilla
• Sign
• Language
• Self
• Awareness
• Pink

[MacGruberFan]

Wish YouTube had a "Hide All Idiots' Comments" button.

[onokaoonokao]

considering the american obsession of including retarded people in the society and giving them work and responsibilities, I bet this girl could easily hold a part time job.

[Oleh2011]

@onokaoonokao Your comment is in poor taste.

[L4WitchOuch]

I only can understand the scene when koko said shes thirsty. Well koko was thirsty... then woman asked her "Are you thirsty? do you want water? Dry water?? Maybe?" Then Koko said "candy gum."

[L4WitchOuch]

Guys, im deaf (hard of hearing) i can understand their language... I suppose that Koko is trying to tell woman something then Koko was being frustrated to tell the woman what she want so she said nevermind

[raidersSolja]

@wriddler

LOL!!!

[trayton88]

so interesting watching them age together over film

[wriddler]

@raidersSolja yeah ive been in jail a few times so i would know first hand

[JamesParkersStuff]

@TheThingseyelike It's fair to say you're referring to about 98% of the people here.

Which by sheer coincidence is the DNA count in which our closest relative ape shares with us.

[JamesParkersStuff]

@squeenie82 She's probably thinking... "I look like a 50 Cent, I should become a rapper".

Aaah.... casual racism.

[raidersSolja]

@wriddler

i guess your a specialist in the matter?

[keilojr]

@JamesParkersStuff fucking hell i was thinking the exact same shit b4 i saw ur comment lol