By Cindano wa Gakuru Hanabiko, also known as Koko, was a western lowland gorilla born at the San Francisco Zoo on July 4, 1971. Her story, which sadly ended on June 19, 2018, was simply extraordinary. In the hands of researcher Francine "Penny" Patterson and the Gorilla Foundation, Koko became a world icon not only for her species but also because of her great capacity to bridge the gap between humans and animals. Koko learned how to communicate using an adapted version of American Sign Language (ASL). She was able to use more than 1,000 signs and understood roughly 2,000 spoken English words, similar to a young human child. Her experience challenges how we perceive animal intelligence and emotion, and reminds us of our obligation to the planet. Not only was Koko a scientific marvel in her ability to communicate, she also showed deep emotional attachment to the world around her. In a memorable video, Koko left us with a message that resonated deeply: These simple but profound words touched the hearts of many. Koko wasn’t just signing — she was pleading. Her message was a call to action, urging humanity to stop ignoring the environmental damage being done. The line “Nature see you” still haunts us, reminding us of our responsibility to the environment that sustains us. Koko’s experience with the Gorilla Foundation not only enlightened us about gorillas but challenged how we perceive animals. Her expressions of love, sorrow, and frustration demolished long-held ideas about animal intelligence. When she signed “Koko cry” or expressed her love for people and Earth, she revealed emotional depth once thought to be uniquely human. This wasn’t just a scientific revelation — it was a cultural one. Koko’s story sparked debates on interspecies communication and coexistence with other intelligent beings. Her life offered a glimpse into the thoughts of creatures we often overlook, showing that emotion and intelligence are not limited to humans. Koko’s message about the Earth is more urgent than ever in 2025. Her words, “Time hurry!”, feel especially relevant as climate change accelerates and biodiversity declines. Koko didn’t just communicate — she connected. Her message “Man Koko love” was both affectionate and admonishing, urging us to correct our mistakes. Her legacy lives on through the Gorilla Foundation and the millions inspired by her story. Koko was more than a gorilla; she was a teacher, a friend, and a voice for nature. Her existence reminds us that communication knows no species boundaries, that love can transcend fear, and that we must listen when nature speaks. When Koko signed “Nature see you,” she wasn’t anthropomorphizing — she was revealing a truth: nature isn’t passive. It’s an interconnected system that bears witness to our actions. The scars of deforestation, polluted rivers, melting ice caps, and extinct species are nature’s testimony against human negligence. Her words mean that nature not only watches us — it reflects us. Our planet mirrors our priorities, our negligence, and our ability to adapt. Every plastic bottle, every burned forest, every rise in temperature is a record of our actions. Koko’s message demands acknowledgment and responsibility before the damage becomes irreversible. The question “Are we listening?” strikes at the heart of our environmental crisis. Listening means more than hearing — it means feeling, understanding, and acting. If a gorilla could be trained to communicate love, sadness, and urgency, surely humans can learn to heed the planet’s warning signs — rising waters, extreme heat, and species loss. In 2025, the evidence of environmental distress is undeniable: the 1.5°C threshold of the Paris Agreement is in danger, species extinction is accelerating, and plastic pollution has reached even the Arctic. Yet humanity remains stagnant in political and economic inertia. Koko’s plea — “Time hurry! Fix Earth! Help Earth!” — captures the urgency of our moment. Listening must lead to action: policy reform, sustainable living, renewable energy, and a return to compassion for the planet. As Koko said, “I am nature.” We are not separate from the Earth; we are part of it. Koko’s message carries extra weight because she herself was endangered. The western lowland gorilla faces extinction due to deforestation, poaching, and climate change — all caused by human activity. When she signed “Man stupid. Stupid! Koko sorry. Koko cry,” her sorrow echoed the pain of the planet itself. Koko’s life challenges humanity’s belief in its exclusive claim to intelligence and morality. Her ability to express love for humanity and concern for the Earth suggests that animals, too, care about the planet’s fate. Listening to nature means listening to its non-human voices — for in them lies wisdom we’ve ignored for too long. Listening to nature requires awareness of scientific truth — CO? levels surpassing 420 ppm, deforestation at 10 million hectares per year, and widespread biodiversity loss. Science, in this sense, is nature’s voice. The signs are measurable; the warnings are clear. Koko also reminds us to reconnect emotionally with the planet. Just as she signed “Man, Koko love,” we must rediscover love and empathy for Earth. Exploring nature, learning local ecosystems, and nurturing stewardship can inspire collective action. Listening also requires tangible action — from personal habits like reducing waste to collective advocacy for sustainable policies and corporate accountability. Listening means acting. Koko’s “Time hurry!” reminds us that gradual change is no longer enough. Environmental damage disproportionately affects vulnerable communities — indigenous peoples, the global South, and wildlife like Koko herself. Listening to nature also means amplifying the voices of those most affected by its destruction. Koko’s message is both a warning and an invitation — to recognize our shared existence with the planet and act responsibly. As the world approaches COP30 in Belém, Brazil (November 10–21, 2025), nations will evaluate progress on climate goals, funding, and the 1.5°C target. These discussions echo Koko’s call: “Protect Earth.” Yet, their success depends on renewed ambition and equitable implementation. “Nature see you” is Koko’s way of reminding us — accountability is no longer optional. Listening means more than acknowledging Koko’s words or scientific reports. It means acting with her urgency, her compassion, and her sense of responsibility. Koko, the gorilla who spoke for nature, showed us that communication transcends species. It is now our turn to respond — before nature’s gaze turns into judgment.A Gorilla with a Message
“I am gorilla. I am flowers, animals. I am nature. Man, Koko love. Earth, Koko love. But man stupid. Stupid! Koko sorry. Koko cry. Time hurry! Fix Earth! Help Earth! Hurry! Protect Earth. Nature see you. Thank you.”
Re-Defining Animal Intelligence
A Legacy of Love and Urgency
The Weight of “Nature See You”
Are We Listening?
Koko’s Unique Perspective
How Do We Listen?
A Call to Act
Conclusion