Since elementary school, we’ve learned that gorillas are one of humankind’s closest relatives.
A photo released in August of a western lowland gorilla at Zoo Atlanta is going viral this week. Captured in photo is the hand of 6-year-old Anaka, which reminds one of how close the resemblance between humans and gorillas really is.
This is a close up picture of the hand of a 6-year-old gorilla, Anaka, with vitiligo. pic.twitter.com/QFgUTogspC
— the Other Side (@Nnadede_1) December 26, 2019
The photo shows pink and white pigmentation on Anaka’s skin that is normally black on other gorillas.
The primate was thought to have vitiligo, a skin condition where white patches form when pigmentation is lost from the skin. The medical community doesn’t fully understand the cause.
According to the website Bored Panda, Zoo Atlanta officials did not confirm Anaka has the condition.
‘Well, her skin pigment has always been like that and hasn’t changed over the years, so we think it’s just a cool birthmark,’” the publication cited a spokesperson from the zoo saying.
The photo of Anaka reveals how similar the hand of a gorilla is to a human — details show the creases in her fingers and her short, seemingly closely-cropped nails.
The zoo says that Anaka not only has unique physical characteristics; she also displays a unique personality.
She barks at her mother and siblings for a prime spot during feeding time, and she can be seen hoisting herself on the backs of her brothers and sisters for piggyback rides.
