Claude, the albino alligator who for years was a mainstay of the California Academy of Sciences, has died, the museum announced on Tuesday.
Claude had lived at the Academy for 17 years. His 30th birthday — a “Hatchday Celebration” — spanned the entire month of September.
Claude’s care team had been closely monitoring the alligator in recent weeks “due to a waning appetite” that led to him being moved to the Steinhart Aquarium to undergo treatment for a suspected infection, the museum said.
No other details were provided about Claude’s cause of death. A necropsy will be conducted at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, which the museum says will reveal more information. Thirty years is not a particularly long life for a captive alligator.
The museum recognized Claude as an “iconic” resident, saying that he will be missed by those who loved him in the local community and around the world. Along with the dinosaur skeleton greeting visitors, he was a generational presence for museumgoers — and a major draw.
Albino alligator stuffed animals are sold at the museum’s gift shop, as is a children’s book about Claude.
The Academy of Sciences plans on holding a public memorial soon, but is, for now, encouraging people to share their memories of the alligator and send messages to his care team to claude@calacademy.org or by mail, to California Academy of Sciences, Attn: Digital Engagement, 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco, California, 94118.