- MADRID (Reuters) - Spain
Monday bade farewell to the world's only known albino gorilla, Snowflake,
a national favorite who died after a long struggle with skin cancer.
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- The main attraction at Barcelona zoo since he was brought
there 37 years ago from Equatorial Guinea, Snowflake's fight with cancer
made front-page news in Spain and brought thousands of well-wishers of
all ages to see him.
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- Jordi Portabella, the zoo's director, told a news conference
that Snowflake died early Monday after veterinarians decided to have the
animal put down to avoid further pain. His skin cancer was first discovered
in 2001.
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- Queues stretched for hours outside Snowflake's enclosure
in the months before his death. But the 310-pound giant, pumped full of
painkillers and anti-depressants to ease his suffering, often preferred
to turn his back on onlookers.
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- The 40-year-old gorilla, a lover of yogurt, will be cremated
after DNA and other tests are run on his body. Zoo staff said they had
no plans to dissect his body out of respect for his dignity.
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- Despite his gentle name, Snowflake was renowned for his
ill temper and scowling, wrinkled expression. He fathered more than 20
children, appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine, and was
a favorite with generations of Spanish kids.
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- Gorillas, one of mankind's closest relatives, are threatened
with extinction as their jungle habitat is gradually destroyed. Illegal
hunting and disease are decimating the principal populations of West Africa,
according to conservationists.
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