World-Famous Albino Alligator at the California Academy of Sciences Dies at 30

One of San Francisco’s most iconic residents — Claude, the rare albino alligator who enchanted millions — has died at age 30, the California Academy of Sciences announced Tuesday.

Claude spent 17 years at the Academy in Golden Gate Park, where he became an unofficial mascot for the museum and the city itself. School groups, families, and tourists from around the world lined up daily to see him bask under his heat lamps, and countless kids left the museum clutching mini Claude stuffed animals. With fewer than 200 albino alligators known to exist, his presence was truly one-of-a-kind.

“Claude showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature,” the museum said, noting his “quiet charisma” that sparked wonder in visitors of all ages.

Born in 1995 on a Louisiana alligator farm, Claude arrived at the Academy in 2008. His albinism gave him a striking white appearance and pinkish-red eyes — features that would make survival in the wild nearly impossible but helped turn him into a Bay Area icon. The museum proudly celebrated his 30th birthday in September with speeches and a fish-and-ice alligator cake.

Claude, who reached 10 feet long and 300 pounds, had recently been treated for a suspected infection after showing a decreased appetite. UC Davis veterinarians will examine him to determine the cause of death.