Hooray for Koko!

[i_like_lectric_motors]

(02/26/05 - WOODSIDE, CA) — A third woman has filed a lawsuit claiming a caretaker for Koko, the world-famous sign-language-speaking gorilla, pressured her to expose her breasts as a way to bond with the animal.

Iris Rivera, 39, sued the Gorilla Foundation this week in San Mateo County Superior Court, saying the foundation's president, Francine Patterson, repeatedly told her to expose her breasts. Rivera, an administrative assistant at the foundation until she quit last month, claims Patterson told her last year that Koko was signing that "she wants to see your nipples."

Two other former employees of the foundation, Nancy Alperin and Kendra Keller, filed similar claims last week.

But while Alperin and Keller refused to expose themselves to Koko, Rivera acquiesced, the lawsuit states.

"She took it as a disagreeable duty of her employment," said Rivera's lawyer, Michael Adams.

An attorney for the foundation said the lawsuits had "no merit."

Rivera's lawsuit alleges sexual and disability discrimination, invasion of privacy and Labor Code violations and seeks unspecified damages.

The Gorilla Foundation was founded in 1976 to promote the preservation and study of gorillas. It's best known for Koko, a 300-pound simian who has mastered a vocabulary of more than 1,000 signs.

[ben_at_work]

If it's true, thats a pretty sick thing to have someone do. Couldn't they just show KoKo pictures? Very Strange!

[phillyidol]

I bet the gorilla can sign "show me your boobs!"[:D]

[KYYX4ever]

If you think about it, the gorilla is probably pretty perplexed as to why female human primates cover up their chests, while female gorilla--or other monkey--primates do not. If gorillas walk upright occasionally, it stands to reason that seeing the chest

[red x red]

I don't know, it seems to me that Koko is a poor defendant.

Since she doesn't where any clothes, you can't begin to discuss how "deep" her pockets run.

I know that she's a celebrity and all, but her endorsements have really slacked off ever sinc

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br>If you think about it, the gorilla is probably pretty perplexed as to why female human pri

[ExRat]

I had no idea Koko was a lesbian. How shameful.

Seriously, I agree with KYYX4ever. It's bad enough that this animal is living in an unhealthy/unnatural environment. It's no wonder she has a few "quirks".

[mygreen]

Gorilla's Gone Wild!

[KYYX4ever]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>
[i]"it stands to reason that seeing the chest area of another primate would be a pretty hig

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br><blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<h

[Rubbeet921]

...and I could just scratch my head... but I think Koko would also want to see what the guys have, right? - you know, for bonding purposes... [:o)]

[ExRat]

I saw some documentary on Koko many years ago. Koko is actually a very nice gorilla - although, a bit of a whiner. She was always complaining that she was sick. She always had a toothache, a migraine, a belly ache. But, overall, she seems like a nice lady

[newwavepop]

well i dont know if koko really say this or if the person is lieing to the lady, thats the real question.

but i would think kokos been raised in a human enviroment for a very long time, and i would think is use to the fact that people are dressed, and