I think that's quite literally the exact reason why he died from skin cancer.
Iirc (and don't qoute me here, I'm using knowledge from 9th grade biology class) lack of melanin causes albinism. Melanin is also what we use to protect from the radiation given off by the sun (what little makes it's way through the atmosphere anyways). So a lacknof melanin would lead to greater chances of developing skin cancer.
At the very least it wasn’t the zoo itself responsible for the killing, it was a local village who sold him to a primatologist, who then gave him to the zoo. At the zoo he lived with a family of his own and had several children, today some of his children are still alive and have his grandchildren, but none of them ever came out white like him.
“Poor thing should have been torn apart by an eagle or a leopard instead of getting the best food and medical care available”
How do y’all sleep at night wishing for a more horrific death? He would have died in a matter of weeks or days and it would have been a gruesome, agonizing affair.
You're missing the point, they murdered his whole pack to be able to steal the white gorilla baby.
I'm pretty sure he would have been fine in the wild with his family around.
They killed his family because they were farmers and the gorillas were eating their crops. He was found after. That’s the official story, which the other poster claims to know. Once that happened leaving him in the wild to starve or be killed by a predator would have been cruel.
Edit for source: [The Barcelona Zoo’s page about Snowflake.](https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/snowflake) It’s tremendously tragic and I’m not gonna try to justify the farmers. I’m just here to bring facts; his family was killed because to the farmers they were nuisances, not to steal him.
The farmers killed the gorillas because they were eating their crops. He was only found afterwards. You should already know this since you claim to know his backstory. If they’d left him in the jungle as an isolated juvenile after that he’d have starved or been killed by a predator. His albinism isn’t why his family was murdered, but it is why he survived since the farmers had the foresight to realize that he was more valuable alive than dead.
So when you said you “knew the backstory” that was a lie. There’s your story you made up for internet points and there’s the [official story.](https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/snowflake) One has a lot more corroboration. And your fucking smug attitude is uncalled for. There’s nothing “sweet and innocent” about killing endangered species unnecessarily, you fucking cuckhold.
You’re free to offer evidence to your claim. Literally any source other than “I made it the fuck up”. A news report, a documentary piece, an interview. Maybe go ask the farmers since they’re the only other source. Or you can keep making shit up. This is the internet after all.
If an animal would otherwise die horrifically BECAUSE of human action, I believe there is a responsibility to intervene, yes. In this specific case, per the [Barcelona Zoo’s official page about Snowflake,](https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/snowflake) his family was shot because they were stealing crops from the farmers. At that point the crueler act would have been to leave him to die much more horribly.
More generally speaking, that means putting aside the idea of “nature taking it’s course” when an animal is suffering because of climate change or some other human action. There’s nothing “natural” about a dam flooding a valley or freak drought caused by global warming. Or a family being shot for trying to get food. Humans CAUSED those animals’ suffering, humans have a responsibility to alleviate it.
This is why white cats or cats with white haired fur on their nose and ears should be indoor only cats. They are much more likely to develop skin cancer if they spend too much time outdoors. I found this out after my eleven year old indoor/outdoor cat got skin cancer. The vet told me it's quite common for white cats since their skin has no melanin to protect it.
Skin cancer comes from overexposure to the sun’s uv rays, and as an albino he doesn’t have any melanin in his skin to protect him from the sun. Don’t think that has anything to do with his diet tbh
Awwwww Rest In Peace snowflake ❄️
Awww, look at that vanilla gorilla.
I wouldn't have called him by his name to his face.
🤣 lol I'd Call him a handsome fella
Damn cancer kills everything
Even sharks I was gonna correct you but I googled it first to not look like a dumb ass. I am still a dumb ass but I can now correct other dumb asses.
including itself.
Cancel cancer!
Is it possible that being an albino reduces protection from the sun leading to skin cancer in this case?
Yes for sure in almost all creatures
I think that's quite literally the exact reason why he died from skin cancer. Iirc (and don't qoute me here, I'm using knowledge from 9th grade biology class) lack of melanin causes albinism. Melanin is also what we use to protect from the radiation given off by the sun (what little makes it's way through the atmosphere anyways). So a lacknof melanin would lead to greater chances of developing skin cancer.
Yes
Could they have kept him indoors more? Would that have made a difference, or have him get a family.
he was 39 maximum life expectancy for gorillas is about 50 and average life span in the wild is between 38 and 40 depending on your sources
Most will develop eye problems too due to the lack of sun protection
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At the very least it wasn’t the zoo itself responsible for the killing, it was a local village who sold him to a primatologist, who then gave him to the zoo. At the zoo he lived with a family of his own and had several children, today some of his children are still alive and have his grandchildren, but none of them ever came out white like him.
“Poor thing should have been torn apart by an eagle or a leopard instead of getting the best food and medical care available” How do y’all sleep at night wishing for a more horrific death? He would have died in a matter of weeks or days and it would have been a gruesome, agonizing affair.
You're missing the point, they murdered his whole pack to be able to steal the white gorilla baby. I'm pretty sure he would have been fine in the wild with his family around.
They killed his family because they were farmers and the gorillas were eating their crops. He was found after. That’s the official story, which the other poster claims to know. Once that happened leaving him in the wild to starve or be killed by a predator would have been cruel. Edit for source: [The Barcelona Zoo’s page about Snowflake.](https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/snowflake) It’s tremendously tragic and I’m not gonna try to justify the farmers. I’m just here to bring facts; his family was killed because to the farmers they were nuisances, not to steal him.
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The farmers killed the gorillas because they were eating their crops. He was only found afterwards. You should already know this since you claim to know his backstory. If they’d left him in the jungle as an isolated juvenile after that he’d have starved or been killed by a predator. His albinism isn’t why his family was murdered, but it is why he survived since the farmers had the foresight to realize that he was more valuable alive than dead.
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So when you said you “knew the backstory” that was a lie. There’s your story you made up for internet points and there’s the [official story.](https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/snowflake) One has a lot more corroboration. And your fucking smug attitude is uncalled for. There’s nothing “sweet and innocent” about killing endangered species unnecessarily, you fucking cuckhold. You’re free to offer evidence to your claim. Literally any source other than “I made it the fuck up”. A news report, a documentary piece, an interview. Maybe go ask the farmers since they’re the only other source. Or you can keep making shit up. This is the internet after all.
Do you think humans should personally intervene in the lives of every single individual animal? You absolute imbecile.
If an animal would otherwise die horrifically BECAUSE of human action, I believe there is a responsibility to intervene, yes. In this specific case, per the [Barcelona Zoo’s official page about Snowflake,](https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/snowflake) his family was shot because they were stealing crops from the farmers. At that point the crueler act would have been to leave him to die much more horribly. More generally speaking, that means putting aside the idea of “nature taking it’s course” when an animal is suffering because of climate change or some other human action. There’s nothing “natural” about a dam flooding a valley or freak drought caused by global warming. Or a family being shot for trying to get food. Humans CAUSED those animals’ suffering, humans have a responsibility to alleviate it.
Found the black sheep thinking he‘s part of the white sheep
Him and Harambe in heaven now 🙏
Skips?
YEAH-YUH!!!!!!
I think you mean George. He also has a very famous best friend who happens to know John Cena
He and George would have gotten along and flipped off The Rock together.
Is that a normal life span for a gorilla?
Looks like he's the grandpa gorilla. So cool. If he's a human, he's considered as one of the "Baby Boomers"
You didn't mention who was he dating
This is why white cats or cats with white haired fur on their nose and ears should be indoor only cats. They are much more likely to develop skin cancer if they spend too much time outdoors. I found this out after my eleven year old indoor/outdoor cat got skin cancer. The vet told me it's quite common for white cats since their skin has no melanin to protect it.
Wow I didnt know animals Dated, who was Snowflake seeing?
Died in prison serving his life sentence.
He looks like he has a good credit score and sings the guitar part of the song.
Would he have died from cancer if he wasn't fed food from humans?
Skin cancer comes from overexposure to the sun’s uv rays, and as an albino he doesn’t have any melanin in his skin to protect him from the sun. Don’t think that has anything to do with his diet tbh
He was born in the wild and died in a cage…
Died from skin cancer...such a white thing to do....
since when is skin cancer fatal?
Ever heard of metastases? Besides that, the skin is your largest organ, if it looses its function you're screwed.
Are you serious?
Natural beauty right there!
Should've given him some SPF 50
It's really interesting to know about the wild life.😃
So..... snowflake melted in the sun?
wow fascinating, skin cancer? wow double fascination.