By Bilen Mesfin in Woodside, California

August 9, 2004

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, a 135kg-plus ape who became famous for mastering

more than 1000 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 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 - volunteered to help.

"It's not often that we get to work on a celebrity," Dr David Liang,

assistant professor of medicine at Stanford, said. "Probably, Koko is less

demanding."

The team came to Koko yesterday, bringing portable X-ray and ultrasound

machines. They set up shop at her "apartment", which looks like a remodelled

box car, complete with a makeshift toilet, television, DVD player and lots

of toys.

After four hours of tests - including a colonoscopy, gynecological exam,

dental work, X-rays, and ultrasounds - doctors pronounced her fit.

Koko, who celebrated her 33rd birthday on July 4, was due for a check-up.

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, and the doctors thought the check-up

could let them know whether she had any biological problems preventing it.

She doesn't.

Her teacher, Francine Patterson, was at her side when the anaesthesiologist

prepared to put her under in the morning, and apparently Koko asked to meet

her specialists.

They crowded around her, and Koko, who plays favourites, 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.

The Gorilla Foundation has studied gorilla intelligence by teaching American

Sign Language to Koko and another gorilla, Michael, who died in 2000.

The Associated Press

This report appears on NEWS.com.au.