Albinism is a rare genetic anomaly that results in a complete or partial lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes of an animal. This condition is caused by a mutation that interferes with the production of melanin. When albinism appears in great apes, which typically have dark coloration, it is particularly fascinating due to the extreme rarity of the genetic trait. The answer to how many albino gorillas exist is rooted in a single, well-documented case that captivated the world for decades.
The Current Global Count
The precise number of albino gorillas currently known to be alive in the world is zero. There are no documented cases of an albino gorilla living in a zoo, a sanctuary, or the wild today. This singular number reflects that only one albino gorilla has ever been scientifically recorded across the history of the species.
This individual, a male Western Lowland Gorilla, lived entirely in captivity after being captured as an infant in the mid-1960s. His existence remains the sole instance of this coloration ever recorded in the species. The absence of any other documented cases underscores the biological improbability of this recessive genetic mutation manifesting in a gorilla.
The Life and Legacy of Snowflake
The only known albino gorilla was a male Western Lowland Gorilla named Snowflake, known in Spanish as Copito de Nieve. His life began in the wild near the village of Nkó in Equatorial Guinea, where he was captured in October 1966 after local farmers killed his mother. He was quickly transported to the Barcelona Zoo in Spain, where he lived for the rest of his life and became the city’s unofficial mascot.
Snowflake lived a long life, residing at the zoo for 36 years until his death in 2003 at the estimated age of 37. His brilliant white fur, pink skin, and blue eyes made him an immediate international sensation, earning him a cover feature in National Geographic magazine. He had a cultural impact, appearing in tourist guides and postcards throughout Barcelona.
During his time at the zoo, he fathered 21 offspring with three different female gorillas, though none of his children inherited the albino trait. His albinism led to a heightened sensitivity to sunlight, making him vulnerable to skin damage. He was euthanized in November 2003 after a long battle with metastatic skin cancer, a complication linked to his lack of protective pigmentation.
Understanding Albinism in Gorillas
Albinism in gorillas is a non-syndromic oculocutaneous condition characterized by the total inability to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for dark coloration. The condition results from a mutation in a specific gene, identified in Snowflake’s case as the SLC45A2 gene. This gene is responsible for producing a protein that aids in the transport of materials required for melanin synthesis.
The trait is transmitted through a recessive pattern, meaning an offspring must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to display the albino coloration. Genetic analysis of Snowflake revealed a high degree of inbreeding, suggesting his parents were closely related, likely an uncle and a niece. This rare pairing increased the odds of two carriers passing on the uncommon recessive gene.
For a gorilla in the wild, albinism presents significant ecological and health challenges. The stark white coat eliminates the camouflage necessary for life in the dense jungle, potentially making an albino infant a target or an outcast. The lack of pigment in the eyes causes photophobia and reduced visual acuity. Furthermore, the absence of melanin in the skin removes natural protection against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, leading to an increased risk of severe skin cancer.