Two former caretakers of Koko, the 33-year-old gorilla who communicates via sign language, are suing their former employers. They claim that they were "sexually discriminated against" and "wrongfully terminated" after refusing to bare their breasts during "bonding excercises" with the primate.

The suit claims [that Gorilla Foundation president Francine "Penny"] Patterson pressured the two women on several occasions to expose their breasts to Koko, a 33-year-old female sometimes in situations where other employees could potentially view their bodies. The women never undressed, said their attorney, Stephen Sommers of San Francisco.

They were threatened that if they "did not indulge Koko's nipple fetish, their employment with the Gorilla Foundation would suffer," the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit claims that on one occasion Patterson said, "'Koko, you see my nipples all the time. You are probably bored with my nipples. You need to see new nipples.'"

The women also claim that their dismissal was in retaliation for reporting KoKo's upscale Woodside residence to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

In addition to the alleged harassment, the two former workers claimed the Woodside facility had unsanitary and unsafe conditions, including rodents in the food preparation area and gorilla urine stored in the refrigerator where workers kept their lunches.

[hat tip:MisterSatan]

PointBlank

New York, NY

November 2004

FEB 21, 2005 01:01 PM

Koko says:
Ass. Titties. ASS ASS. TITTIES.

Idjit

HOPEFUL

I'm lost

FEB 21, 2005 01:04 PM

Nice. I'm counting down the days before we see a guest set shot by Koko.

Thistle

SUICIDEGIRL

California, USA

FEB 21, 2005 01:05 PM

There is no way in hell I would bare my breasts for a gorilla. And I am probably the biggest primate fan in the world.

JoshXXX

Northborough, MA

March 2004

FEB 21, 2005 01:09 PM

I mentioned this in the other thread, but my cat drops pencils in front of girls with short skirts... I have no pending lawsuits. Yet. The animal kingdom is littered with sexual harassment, but untill the laws take this into account, we're just going to have to deal with it. Why just the other day, my boss's pomerainian told me if I didn't start wearing tighter pants, my job would be in jeopardy.

joshof13thfloor

Decherd, TN

January 2003

FEB 21, 2005 01:09 PM

I guess Koko and I now have more in common than just the fleas.

rickets

Seattle, WA

March 2003

FEB 21, 2005 01:12 PM

And yet, when I whipped it out in front of Koko, they called the cops. Talk about sexism!

Cyric

I'm lost

October 2003

FEB 21, 2005 01:16 PM

Does this mean koko's a lesbian?

rickets

Seattle, WA

March 2003

FEB 21, 2005 01:16 PM

Cyric said:
Does this mean koko's a lesbian?

She must be, she completely ignored me when I whipped it out.

MetaTag

United Kingdom

September 2002

FEB 21, 2005 01:16 PM

Welcome to the Zoo...

MisterSatan

Portland, OR

August 2002

FEB 21, 2005 01:18 PM

Thanks for ganking my story, basket.

pascalpp

Brooklyn, NY

January 2004

FEB 21, 2005 01:19 PM

somebobby git dat monkee a subscraption to ESS GEEEEEE!

katiebarthedoor

Louisville, KY

December 2004

FEB 21, 2005 01:26 PM

shock the monkey, baby. shock the monkey.

lilyk

I'm lost

December 2004

FEB 21, 2005 01:44 PM

katiebarthedoor said:
shock the monkey, baby. shock the monkey.

if she is a lesbian, then boobs would not be a shock, they would be a perk

JoshXXX

Northborough, MA

March 2004

FEB 21, 2005 01:51 PM

ruggerlily said:

katiebarthedoor said:
shock the monkey, baby. shock the monkey.

if she is a lesbian, then boobs would not be a shock, they would be a perk

hahaha... perky boobs.