Gorilla Kept Stacking Tires Every Morning — Then His Caretaker Finally Figured Out Why

Understanding the ‘why’ behind Koko’s tire stacking game reinforced the understanding that animals, even those in captivity, exhibit behaviors in response to their environment. Observing and understanding these behaviors can give invaluable insights into their cognition, emotions, and overall wellbeing. And as we’ve learned from Koko, sometimes it’s as simple as simply wanting to tend to their own little ‘backyard.’ Koko’s tire-stacking obsession turned out to be a testament to culture, intellect, and an unexpressed yet profound connection to his human caregivers.