Cal Academy announces beloved Claude the albino alligator has died at 30

SAN FRANCISCO — A rare albino alligator named Claude who was beloved by fans around the world died Tuesday, according to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He was 30.

The science museum in Golden Gate Park is popular with Bay Area school children and international tourists, and many kids over the years have ended their visits clutching a mini Claude stuffed animal to take home. As an unofficial mascot of the museum and the city, Claude appeared in a children’s book and in ads at bus and light-rail stations.

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The rare alligator icon had a “quiet charisma” that captivated hearts in his 17 years in San Francisco, the museum said in a statement.

“Claude showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature and stoke curiosity to learn more about the world around us,” it said.

Claude hatched in 1995 at an alligator farm in Louisiana, and came to live at the Academy in 2008. He was born with albinism, a genetic mutation that made him appear white. His eyes looked pinkish-red because of blood vessels that were visible through his clear irises.

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Albino alligators do not survive for long in the wild, but American alligators can live up to 70 in captivity. The museum rang in Claude’s 30th birthday in September with festivities, speeches and a special alligator birthday cake made of fish and ice.

Claude, who was 10 feet (3 meters) and 300 pounds (136 kilograms), recently underwent treatment for a suspected infection after showing signs of a reduced appetite. The University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine will exam Claude to learn of a possible cause of death.

The museum will hold a public memorial for Claude but for now, people can share memories of Claude and send messages to his human care team at the California Academy of Sciences.

Cal Academy posted the following heartfelt message on Instagram:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude was an iconic Academy resident who many visitors formed deep connections with during his 17 year tenure. He brought joy to millions of people at the museum and across the world, his quiet charisma captivating the hearts of fans of all ages. Claude showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature and stoke curiosity to learn more about the world around us.

We know that the magnitude of this loss will be felt in proportion to how beloved Claude was by so many across the Bay Area and beyond. Claude was celebrated as the unofficial mascot of the Academy and San Francisco itself, and regularly received fan mail, gifts, and artwork from adoring fans around the world. In September many of you helped us celebrate his 30th birthday with monthlong festivities that highlighted his impact in the museum, across the city, and on social media. We know how much Claude meant to so many of you, and that love means so much to us.

Claude’s dedicated care team had been monitoring him closely in recent weeks due to a waning appetite, and he was recently moved behind-the-scenes to undergo treatment for a suspected infection. He received the best possible care from the Steinhart Aquarium veterinarian and animal care teams. This heartbreaking outcome is not what we hoped for. A full exam and necropsy, to be conducted at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, will yield more information about the cause of death.

We plan to hold a public memorial in the near future (details to come), but in the meantime we encourage you to share your memories of Claude and messages for his dedicated animal care team by email at [email protected] or by post to California Academy of Sciences, Attn: Digital Engagement, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.