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  Koko, the gorilla who knew sign language, dies at 46
  By: Associated Press
  Posted at 7:06 AM, Jun 21, 2018
  and last updated 2018-06-21 08:06:23-04
  WOODSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language, has died.
  The Gorilla Foundation says the 46-year-old western lowland gorilla died in its sleep at the foundation's preserve in California's Sana Cruz mountains on Tuesday.
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  Koko was born at the San Francisco Zoo, and Dr. Francine Patterson began teaching the gorilla sign language that became part of a Stanford University project in 1974.
  The foundation says Koko's capacity for language and empathy opened the minds and hearts of millions.
  Koko appeared in many documentaries and twice in National Geographic. The gorilla's 1978 cover featured a photo that the animal had taken of itself in a mirror.
  The foundation says it will honor Koko's legacy with a sign language application featuring Koko for the benefit of gorillas and children, as well as other projects.
  Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.