Koko, the gorilla who learned sign language and became a pop-culture phenomenon, will be laid to rest at the animal sanctuary in Northern California where she lived.

Koko the Gorilla — known for her ability to communicate with humans using over 2,000 hand signals — died Tuesday in her sleep in Woodside, California. She was 46.

The western lowland gorilla was born at the San Francisco Zoo in 1971 and began to learn sign language early in life. She was said to have understood some 2,000 words of spoken English.

The Gorilla Foundation says the 46-year-old western lowland gorilla died in her sleep in California's Santa Cruz mountains on Tuesday.

Koko, the western lowland gorilla who learned sign language and became a pop-culture phenomenon human celebrities clamored to rub shoulders with, has died.

<p>Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language, has died. The Gorilla Foundation says the 46-year-old western lowland gorilla died in its sleep at the foundation's preserve in California's Sana ...

Koko, the gorilla whose apparent aptitude for sign language endeared her to fans around the world, died in her sleep on Tuesday morning, according to the Gorilla Foundation, which oversaw her care ...

Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language has died at the age of 46 in the Sana Cruz Mountains. Koko was born at the San Francisco Zoo and shared a special bond with Robin Williams.

WOODSIDE, Calif. -- Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language, has died. The Gorilla Foundation says the 46-year-old western lowland gorilla died in her sleep at the foundation's preserve in ...

<p>Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language, has died. The Gorilla Foundation says the 46-year-old western lowland gorilla died in its sleep at the foundation's preserve in California's Sana ...

Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language and became something of a pop culture staple, has died, the Gorilla Foundation confirmed. She was 46. Koko died in her sleep Wedneday in Woodside, Calif.