Koko, the world-famous western lowland gorilla, captured global attention not just for her intelligence, but for her ability to communicate with humans using American Sign Language (ASL). Born on July 4, 1971, and raised under the care of Dr. Francine “Penny” Patterson, Koko was more than just an animal—she became a symbol of interspecies empathy and communication.
One of the many heartwarming images that people remember about Koko is her simple joy in eating bananas. But the story behind those moments is deeper than a gorilla enjoying a snack—it reflects cognition, culture, and the emotional life of an animal many once underestimated.
The Banana: Not Just a Snack
For most primates, bananas are a favorite treat. Rich in natural sugars and soft enough to chew easily, bananas are a safe and satisfying food. But for Koko, bananas often symbolized choice, communication, and pleasure.
Koko could use sign language to request bananas specifically. Instead of being handed generic food, she was given the power to decide—“banana” was one of the signs she mastered early and used frequently.
Significance:
- The act of requesting and eating a banana was an early demonstration of how language empowered her autonomy.
- She would sometimes joke, hide the banana, or play with it before eating—indicating her intelligence and emotional complexity.
Observing Koko’s Banana Habits
Koko didn’t just eat bananas—she interacted with them. Observers from The Gorilla Foundation noted several intriguing behaviors:
- Peeling the banana carefully, much like a human would.
- Sharing her bananas with kittens or her caretaker, revealing social instincts.
- Expressing dissatisfaction if the banana was bruised or not to her liking—via signs like “sad” or “bad food.”
These were not mere animal instincts. They were signs of preference, judgment, and expression.
Teaching Moments: Language and Bananas
The Gorilla Foundation used food, including bananas, as a teaching tool for new signs and emotional vocabulary. Here’s how bananas helped:
- Motivation: Bananas were used as positive reinforcement.
- Association: Linking the word “banana” to the object helped reinforce cognitive connections.
- Choice: Koko was often given multiple food options and signed her preferred one, proving conceptual thinking.
Emotional Reactions Around Food
In various documented sessions, Koko displayed moods and feelings connected to food. If denied a banana, she might pout, sign “angry,” or sulk. If offered one unexpectedly, she might sign “happy” or “thank you.”
This clearly illustrated her emotional range and recognition—two qualities that further reinforced the belief that gorillas possess emotional intelligence.
Bananas, Koko, and Pop Culture
Koko’s love for bananas also entered pop culture. Many videos and photographs of her enjoying the fruit were used in documentaries, children’s books, and educational programs to create empathy among viewers.
Why it mattered:
It wasn’t about the banana—it was about building a bridge between species. A relatable image like a gorilla eating a banana softened barriers, making her more accessible and lovable to audiences around the world.
Legacy: More Than Just a Gorilla
Koko passed away in 2018, but her legacy continues to impact animal cognition research, ethical treatment of great apes, and conservation awareness.
Bananas were just one part of her life—but they symbolized the larger breakthroughs:
- Language acquisition
- Emotional communication
- Empathy
- Trust between human and animal
Conclusion
When Koko signed for and ate a banana, she wasn’t just snacking. She was making a choice, expressing herself, and participating in a moment that bridged the human-animal divide. Her interaction with something as simple as fruit opened the door to deeper understanding of non-human intelligence.
So the next time you see a gorilla enjoying a banana, remember—thanks to Koko, we now know it could be much more than just a meal. It might be a message.
