Koko (The Gorilla who used Sign Language)
Why she's a contender: Koko is perhaps the most famous gorilla in the world precisely because of her capacity for love and empathy. She learned over 1,000 signs in American Sign Language (ASL) and could understand spoken English.
Her Kitten: Her most famous loving relationship was with a kitten she named All Ball. After she was shown a picture of a cat and asked to choose one as a pet, she picked a tailless Manx. She cared for it with incredible gentleness, cradling it and trying to nurse it. When All Ball escaped and was hit by a car, Koko famously signed "SAD," "FROWN," and "CRY" when told of its death, showing profound grief.
Empathy for Humans: She also expressed concern for her human caregivers when they were hurt or sad, signing things like "Don't worry" and offering comfort.
2. Binti Jua (The "Hero Gorilla")
Why she's a contender: Binti Jua became a global sensation in 1996 at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. When a young boy fell into the gorilla enclosure and was knocked unconscious, Binti Jua, who was carrying her own infant on her back, gently picked up the boy.
She cradled him protectively, warded off other curious gorillas, and carried him over to the door where zookeepers could retrieve him. She then calmly went back to her routine. This act of gentle, protective care towards a vulnerable being of another species was seen as a incredible act of compassion.
3. Gorilla Mothers in the Wild
While not a single individual, it's important to remember that gorilla mothers are famously devoted, patient, and loving. They form incredibly strong bonds with their infants, nursing them for several years, carrying them constantly, playing with them, and teaching them essential skills for survival. The love between a mother gorilla and her baby is one of the purest and most powerful examples in the animal kingdom.
The Verdict:
For her documented expressions of love, grief, and empathy towards both animals and humans over many decades, Koko is most often the gorilla people think of when they imagine a "loving" gorilla.
But truly, the "most loving gorilla in the world" is likely the one that has formed a deep, trusting bond with its caregivers, its family group, or even a surprising friend.
❤️ It's a beautiful reminder of the deep emotional capacity of these amazing animals.
