RIP Claude: San Francisco's Iconic Albino Alligator Dies Aged 30

We come to you today bearing sad news. After 30 years of chomping, chilling, and charming the public, the undisputed king of San Francisco, Claude the albino alligator, has died.

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“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30,” the California Academy of Sciences, who cared for Claude, announced on December 2. “Claude was an iconic California Academy of Sciences resident who many visitors formed deep connections with during his 17 year tenure.” 

While the exact cause of Claude’s death is not yet known – a necropsy is soon to be carried out, which will provide more detail – he had been undergoing close monitoring in recent weeks after his appetite decreased, and he was later moved out of the public eye for treatment after it was suspected that he had an infection.

Claude hatched on an alligator farm in Louisiana on September 15, 1995, where it quickly became apparent that he was part of a rare group of alligators born with albinism. This is a genetic condition that prevents the body’s cells from producing melanin, a pigment molecule that gives skin, hair, and eyes color.

The result was that Claude’s skin appeared bright white, and his eyes red, leaving him with pretty poor eyesight. If he were born in the wild, these features would’ve made him unlikely to survive for long; bright white doesn’t blend in particularly well in a swamp environment, packed with predators.

Luckily, for the next 13 years, he would be in the care of the St Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida, before moving to the California Academy of Science’s Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco in 2008. Here, he became one of the aquarium’s – and frankly, San Francisco’s – most beloved residents, gaining fans who sent him letters, poems, art, and stuffed toys.

So when Claude turned 30 earlier this year, best believe it was quite the party – a month-long one, in fact. His birthday was packed with city-wide celebrations, including a virtual appearance at a music festival, a treasure hunt for Claude plushies, and of course, a big ol’ bash complete with a specially made “cake” of fish and ice.

It’s safe to say that he went out with a bang – and quite right, too, given what an icon he was.

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