This special day of sanctuary was sponsored by our good friend, Meg Lunnum, in memory of Koko the gorilla, who sadly passed away on June 19th. Meg shared this lovely message about her gift in Koko’s honor:

“In memory of Hanabi-Ko, Japanese for Fireworks-Child (she was born on the Fourth of July), but she was nicknamed Koko. Koko the gorilla passed away last Tuesday. I am so sad. Koko was my first introduction to the great apes. Especially when she adopted a kitten, All Ball. Without Koko, I would never have been tuned into other apes, most certainly, chimpanzees. It is because of Koko that I am a huge fan of the Cle Elum Seven and Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Koko was such a wonderful ambassador for the great apes. National Geographic had this on their website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/1978/10/conversations-with-koko-the-gorilla/“

Meg, thank you so much for thinking of Koko and honoring her life here today. Koko’s passing is such sad news. We extend our deepest sympathy to all those who loved and cared for her and know her loss will be profoundly felt.

Koko. (Image credits to The Gorilla Foundation via the BBC/PBS documentary, “Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks”)

And thank you for always holding the chimpanzees in your heart, Meg. From our hearts, thank you for the difference you make in their lives and the lives of so many of our fellow animals.

Negra:

Missy:

Jody: