I had worked with gorillas for almost eighteen years, and I had learned never to assume that an animal would behave the way we expected. Still, nothing prepared me for Ghost. He was only nine months old when he arrived at Redwood Valley Wildlife Center in Northern California, rescued from an illegal private collection after losing his mother. His unusual appearance was the first thing everyone noticed: almost completely white fur, pale skin, and striking blue-gray eyes. But underneath that unusual appearance was a frightened baby who wanted exactly what every young gorilla wants—warmth, protection, and someone who would stay close when he was afraid. We tried everything we knew. We introduced him carefully to other gorillas, giving each relationship time to develop. But every attempt ended the same way. They avoided him. Some became nervous when he approached. Others simply turned their backs. By the fifth rejection, Ghost seemed to understand that nobody was coming.
PART 1 — THE BABY NO ONE WANTED
The first few days were heartbreaking to watch.
Ghost would sit near the edge of the enclosure, staring at the other gorillas whenever they were brought outside. He seemed fascinated by them. Whenever one came close to the dividing barrier, he would crawl toward it, make a small questioning sound, and lift his hand.
