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In 1971, Penny Patterson, a graduate student at Stanford University, met Koko, a new-born gorilla in San Francisco Zoo. Penny had grown up wanting to communicate with animals and decided to teach Koko sign language in the hope of finally crossing the boundary between animals and humans.

Watch • 3:02
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Koko's Kitten
Koko adopted a kitten called All Ball.
Clip: 3:02
Watch • 2:05
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Meet Koko
In this introduction to the film we meet Koko the world famous gorilla.
Clip: 2:05
Watch • 3:05
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Early Days with Koko
In this clip we see how Penny began to work with Koko.
Clip: 3:05
Latest Episodes
Watch • 54:51
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
The unique story of a life-long relationship between a scientist and Koko the gorilla.
Episode: S1 E1 | 54:51
Extras
Watch • 3:15
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
The Move to Stanford
Penny moved Koko from San Francisco Zoo to Stanford, where their communication work began.
Clip: 3:15
Watch • 2:24
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Battle for Koko
Although Penny and Koko were now deeply bonded, Koko still belonged to San Francisco Zoo.
Clip: 2:24
Watch • 0:30
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Preview
The unique story of a life-long relationship between a scientist and Koko the gorilla.
Preview: 0:30
Watch • 3:20
Koko - The Gorilla Who Talks
Facing Critics
Another ape language specialist became convinced that the whole field was flawed.
Clip: 3:20