Claude, a rare albino alligator who became a beloved figure in the San Francisco Bay Area, has died at the age of 30.
The California Academy of Sciences announced the reptile’s death on December 2, prompting an outpouring of love and support from around the world. An update from the academy on December 3 noted that initial findings from a necropsy revealed that Claude had liver cancer and a systemic infection. Claude had lived at the institution, located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, for nearly two decades.
“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,” according to a statement from the academy. “Claude showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature and stoke curiosity to learn more about the world around us.”…