Koko, the beloved gorilla best known for mastering sign language, died in her sleep at age 46 on Wednesday.

The Gorilla Foundation announced Koko's death via social media on Thursday, saying she "touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy."

The Gorilla Foundation is sad to announce the passing of our beloved Koko | https://t.co/ers1vGAlQ3 https://t.co/O3bvTDoQvE — Gorilla Foundation (@kokotweets) June 21, 2018

Koko, whose full name was Hanabi-ko (meaning "Fireworks Child" in Japanese,) was born on July 4, 1971. Over the years the western lowland gorilla learned more than 1,000 different signs, developed a love of cats, worked alongside many humans including sign language instructor Dr. Francine "Penny" Patterson, and inspired several documentaries and the popular children's book, Koko's Kitten.

Her willingness to interact with people and her eagerness to learn allowed the world to observe a great deal about her species, and throughout the course of her life Koko made many celebrity friends, including Mister Rogers and Robin Williams.

After news of Koko's death reached social media, fans showed an outpouring of love for the gorilla, thanking her for all her contributions.

Koko, the gorilla known for sign language, has passed away at the age of 46. Here she is on the cover of the 1985 National Geographic. #RIPKoko 🦍 pic.twitter.com/U95wNsGdWy — Nat Geo Channel (@NatGeoChannel) June 21, 2018

Sad. I remember first learning about her as a kid. “Bad Bad Toilet Kitty” was the worst thing she could think to sign. She in large part sparked my love of animals. Thanks Koko. Rest easy old lady. https://t.co/QWW03qgInF — Michael Krokey (@ta2dnurse) June 21, 2018

RIP Koko. You did so much to break down that wall many of us perceive between humans and other species. https://t.co/TBXwmccVb7 — David Steen, Ph.D. (@AlongsideWild) June 21, 2018

My heart is💔 I loved watching Koko so much. We are the same age and I feel I lost a childhood friend. She was pure love ❤️. Run free beautiful girl 🦍 — Stacey Prussman (@StaceyPrussman) June 21, 2018

Koko taught us soooooo much. One of the greatest women (yeah I said it) humanity has had the honor of knowing. She made us rethink what it means to be human and had more grace, compassion, and empathy, in essence more humanity, than most of us. RIP https://t.co/4ev3aLzLKw — Greg Myers (@Ruggum) June 21, 2018

it is my sincerest wish that koko is living her best life cuddling infinite kitties in gorilla heaven pic.twitter.com/MW13ku1Irh — emma lord (@dilemmalord) June 21, 2018

Grew up “with” Koko, as an eighties kid. Taught me a lot about gentle humanity, as animals often do. Could use more Kokos in the world—now more than ever. ❤️🦍 https://t.co/7HWxlRGweA — Tim Federle (@TimFederle) June 21, 2018

RIP KOKO THE GORILLA. YOU WERE A REAL ONE. XO. pic.twitter.com/My5JA8a9iH — ~RePTyLiAN BoNeR~ 2 (@hotdogfever69) June 21, 2018

The Gorilla Foundation noted in a press release that it will continue to honor "Koko's legacy" and work with wildlife.