Koko and Robin Williams met at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, California.

The two hit it off and became fast friends. Williams had the knack for making Koko smile, something she hadn’t done in six months, since the loss of her companion, Michael.

Koko, highly sensitive to changes in human emotion, was with Dr. Penny Patterson when the news arrived of Robin’s death. Sensing the sadness in her keeper’s demeanor, Koko signed for clarification. Dr Patterson replied we have lost a dear friend, Robin Williams.

Hearing the news, Koko mourned the loss of her friend, weeping and hanging her head with a quivering lip. This video is a taped segment of Robin’s visit with Koko.

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Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: video still