When Koko the gorilla used the American Sign Language gesture for pain and pointed to her mouth, 12 specialists, including three dentists, sprang into action.
The result? Her first full medical examination in about 20 years, an extracted tooth and a clean bill of health.
About a month ago, Koko, the 300-plus-pound cover-girl ape, who's mastered more than 1,000 signs, began telling her handlers at the Gorilla Foundation in Woodside she was in pain. They quickly constructed a pain chart, offering Koko a scale from one to 10.
When Koko started pointing to nine or 10 too often, a dental appointment was made. And because anesthesia would be involved, her handlers used the opportunity to give Koko a total head-to-toe exam.
"She's quite articulate," volunteer Johnpaul Slater said. "She'll tell us how bad she's feeling, how bad the pain is. It looked like it was time to do something."
Twelve specialists - a Stanford cardiologist, three anesthesiologists, three dentists, an ear and throat specialist, two veterinarians, a gastroenterologist and a gynecologist - jumped at the opportunity.
"Koko's famous," said Dr. David Liang, assistant professor of medicine at Stanford. "It's not often that we get to work on a celebrity. Probably, Koko is less demanding."
And while other primates would have to make a trek to the hospital, not Koko. The team came to her Sunday and brought along portable X-ray and ultrasound machines. They set up shop at her "apartment," which looks like a remodeled box car, complete with a makeshift toilet, television (she prefers PBS), a DVD player ("Pretty Woman" is a favorite because of a scene that shows a Koko stuffed animal), and, of course, tons of toys for Koko.
All fun aside, the checkup was important. Koko celebrated her 33rd birthday July 4, and, while gorillas in captivity are known to live into their 50s, they are susceptible to heart disease and a thickening of the arteries.
Koko and Ndume, her "partner" of 11 years (he doesn't "speak"), have been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby for years, and the doctors thought the checkup could also let them know whether she had any biological problems preventing it. She doesn't.
Her teacher, Francine Patterson, was at her side when the anesthesiologist prepared to put her under in the morning, and apparently Koko asked to meet her specialists. They crowded around her, and Koko, who plays favorites, asked one woman wearing red to come closer. The woman handed her a business card, which Koko promptly ate. Otherwise, Koko was calm, Liang said.
About four hours later, and after various tests, including a colonoscopy, gynecological exam, dental work, X-rays, and ultrasounds - Koko's specialists pronounced her fit. And the best news of all? Koko wouldn't have to shell out a dime. The doctors all donated their services.
ON THE NET
The Gorilla Foundation:
www.koko.org
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