Snowflake the Albino Gorilla
Manage episode 341140453 series 3277351
Snowflake was a western lowland gorilla born in 1964 with Albinism - the congenital absence of any pigmentation or coloration. Albino animals usually have characteristic pink or red eyes due the lack of pigment in the iris allowing the blood vessels of the retina to be visible, however Snowflake strangely had blue eyes. He presented traits and characteristics of albinism typically seen in humans, including white hair, pinkish skin, light coloured eyes, reduced visual perception and light sensitivity.
In 2001, Snowflake was diagnosed with an unusual form of skin cancer, almost certainly related to his albinism. And by 2003, his health had begun to deteriorate. After he began losing interest in his usual activities, isolating himself and showing signs of pain, Snowflake's keepers reluctantly made the decision to euthanise him. The decision was publicly announced in September 2003 before being euthanised just two months later. At the time of his death, Snowflake was thought to be between 38 and 40 years old.
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