SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — ‘Claude’, the iconic albino alligator and mascot of the California Academy of Sciences, will officially have a street named after him in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
On Tuesday afternoon, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the proposal by Supervisor Myrna Melgar.
Melgar had put up a poll online for the people to decide which city street will be deemed “Claude the Alligator Way.”
The beloved reptile died of liver cancer Dec. 2, 2025 at the age of 30.
RELATED: San Francisco supervisor proposes naming street after Claude, the beloved albino alligator
Claude touched the lives of countless visitors over his 17 years at the California Academy of Sciences, appearing in a children’s book and in ads at bus and light-rail stations.
The museum is set to hold a public celebration of life for Claude on Sunday, Jan. 18 in the Golden Gate Park Bandshell.
RELATED: Cause of death revealed for Claude, San Francisco’s beloved albino alligator
The Academy says the event is a “free outdoor community celebration of life packed with stories, speeches, performances, and activities for Claude fans of all ages.”
The outdoor event runs from 11a.m. to 1p.m. (rain or shine), and there will be additional Claude-related events inside the museum as well. However, museum officials say attendees will need a ticket to access those.
Museum officials say they expect a capacity crowd and that parking will be limited, so they urge attendees to arrive by foot, bike or public transit.
More information is available on the Academy’s website.
RELATED: Cal Academy announces beloved Claude the albino alligator has died
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.
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.
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.
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