San Francisco’s beloved albino alligator Claude dies at 30

SAN FRANCISCO AP 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 The science museum in Golden Gate Park is popular with Bay Area school children and international tourists and plenty of 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 The rare alligator icon had a quiet charisma that captivated hearts in his years in San Francisco the museum revealed in a declaration Claude presented us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature and stoke curiosity to learn more about the world around us it disclosed Claude hatched in at an alligator farm in Louisiana and came to live at the Academy in 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 in captivity The museum rang in Claude s th birthday in September with festivities speeches and a special alligator birthday cake made of fish and ice Claude who was feet meters and pounds kilograms in recent times underwent rehabilitation 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 feasible cause of death The museum will hold a citizens memorial for Claude but for now people can share memories of Claude and send messages to his human care group at the California Academy of Sciences Source