Snowflake: The Rare White Gorilla Who Became a Barcelona Icon
In 1966, deep in the forests of what was then Spanish Guinea, a remarkable baby gorilla was captured with an appearance unlike any other known gorilla. He had pure white fur, pale pink skin and striking blue eyes.
The young gorilla was taken to Barcelona Zoo, where he was named Copito de Nieve, meaning “Snowflake.” He would spend the next 37 years there, becoming one of Spain’s most famous and photographed animals and a beloved symbol of Barcelona.
Snowflake’s unusual appearance was caused by albinism, a rare genetic condition that results in little or no melanin pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Years later, genetic research identified a likely explanation for his condition: his parents were closely related, suggesting that inbreeding in the wild contributed to the rare genetic combination.
Despite his distinctive appearance, Snowflake lived a remarkably active life and fathered 22 offspring with three different females. None inherited his characteristic white coat, making his appearance an extraordinary genetic rarity.
However, his lack of pigmentation also made him particularly vulnerable to the effects of sunlight. In 2001, Snowflake was diagnosed with skin cancer. After a prolonged battle with the disease, he died in November 2003, at the age of about 40.
His death was widely mourned in Barcelona, where generations of residents had grown up visiting and admiring him.
Snowflake remains an extraordinary chapter in wildlife history. No other albino gorilla has been documented in the wild, and his unique appearance has never been naturally replicated in another known gorilla.
From a remote forest in Africa to becoming an icon in Barcelona, Snowflake’s story remains a remarkable reminder of the extraordinary genetic diversity found in nature.
Snowflake: The Rare White Gorilla Who Became a Barcelona Icon