Koko was known for her gentle nature and intelligence, often leaving humans in awe of how much she could communicate.
On her birthday a few years ago, her keepers brought along the sweetest surprise: an adorable litter of kittens came to visit her.
Love for all creatures
One look into the box and the great ape looked as if she was in love with the clumsy little kittens.
She seemed particularly taken with a grey cat called Mrs. Grey, lifting her very, very carefully from the box to cradle her in the crook of her arm.
The kittens seem equally delighted with their new friend. In no time at all, they were climbing all over her, vying for the primate's attention.
Face of the Gorilla Foundation
The heartwarming video, which was captured back in 2015, carries a serious message: Koko demonstrated just how much love her species is capable of. She was fundamental in increasing human understanding of these incredible animals.
Koko remained the face of the Gorilla Foundation, until her death in 2018 at the age of 47.
