Babies bring happiness with them wherever they go. Even for individuals who never became biological parents, babies are a source of laughter and inspiration. One animal is absolutely in love with these tiny beings, even though she never had any of her own. This ape was overjoyed when she received two babies all to herself.
Koko is a great ape who is cared for by The Gorilla Foundation, an organization with a mission “to learn about gorillas by communicating with them, and apply [their] knowledge to advance great ape conservation, education, care, and empathy.” The foundation has recently organized a program centered around the ape.
Project Koko is dedicated to “interspecies communication with gorillas.” Koko’s exploits are published across several media platforms, which circulates awareness for the organization’s cause. “The research naturally leads to education materials, which in turn are used to affect conservation values and gorilla care practices,” The Gorilla Foundation explains on their website, “but it is the empathy that inspires action and has enabled Project Koko to span more than 4 decades.”
Recently, Koko has taken on a whole new adventure. She has entered the role of adoptive mother, and she couldn’t be happier.
The gorilla has always loved babies. She holds bottles in her hands, mimics rocking, and even knows how to sign the word for “baby.” Unfortunately, she never had children of her own, and as an animal in captivity it’s not exactly possible to start now.
Koko’s caretakers felt her grief, so they decided to make her dream come true. They presented her with “babies” that she could adopt. Workers from The Gorilla Foundation brought in a box full of kittens and set them down in front of Koko.
The ape was instantly in love! She excitedly dug her hand into the box and pulled out a cute gray kitten, also known as Ms. Gray. Koko held the tiny creature in her hand, examining the kitty. After a moment she plopped the animal down in her lap and pulled her in for a warm embrace. It was love at first sight.
As the gorilla explored the personalities of the kittens, one took a particular interest in her. Ms. Black, a multi-colored kitten, could not contain her curiosity. She tried repeatedly to climb out of her little container, hoping to catch Koko’s eye.
The ape adopted both of the kittens. She was so proud to call these babies hers. Koko now knows how to sign the word for “cat” as well.
This sweet gesture really brightened the gorilla’s mood. Kokoflix shares that since she adopted the two kitties, “not only have Koko’s maternal and play instincts kicked in, but she is signing more to her caregivers and generating new content every day that can be used by The Gorilla Foundation to create empathy for great apes.”
It is amazing that an animal can love one of a different species so strongly. Koko’s adorable adoption story reminds us that we are all connected. By spreading love wherever we go, we can change the world.
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