SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – Claude, the beloved albino alligator at the California Academy of Sciences, has died at 30, the institution confirmed this week. A fixture of the Academy’s Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco for 17 years, Claude brought joy to millions of visitors from around the world.
The Academy described Claude as a powerful ambassador for wildlife, saying he inspired curiosity and connected people to nature. In recent weeks, Claude had been treated for a suspected infection after showing a decreased appetite, but despite care from a dedicated veterinary team, he passed away on Dec. 2. A full necropsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death.
Claude hatched on Sept. 15, 1995, at an alligator farm in Louisiana and spent the first 13 years of his life at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida before moving to San Francisco in 2008. Born with albinism, his striking white skin and poor eyesight made him vulnerable in the wild, but under human care, albino alligators can live for decades, sometimes up to 60 or 70 years.
At 10 feet long and weighing 300 pounds, Claude quickly became an icon of the Academy and San Francisco itself. He was celebrated for his special treats, including fish “cakes” and trout, and regularly received fan mail, gifts, and artwork from admirers nationwide. In September, the Academy marked its 30th birthday with a public celebration attended by Bay Area officials.
The California Academy of Sciences said Claude’s impact will be deeply felt. Plans for a public memorial are underway to honor the beloved alligator, whose presence and personality touched countless lives over his long career as a symbol of curiosity, nature, and wonder.