One of San Francisco’s unlikely heroes passed away on December 2, 2025, at the age of 30. Claude was one of the city’s most enduring symbols. Even while spending his time tucked away in a large exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, he exuded a quiet charisma. Claude was an albino alligator with an alabaster-white color and soft pink eyes. Over the years, he became one of the city’s biggest hits, bringing busloads of schoolchildren and tourists alike to the museum. His death has left an alligator-sized hole in the heart of the city.
Alligators can live up to 70 years old in captivity under the right conditions. While it may seem like Claude died pretty young in the grand scheme of things, albino alligators have a tough time in general. They usually don’t live long, especially in the wild. Let’s learn more about this iconic San Francisco symbol. We will discuss his life, how he got to the California Academy of Sciences, and what makes albino alligators so special.
A Short But Impactful Life
When Claude entered this world, he had no idea what kind of celebrity he would one day become. A late Virgo baby, he hatched on September 15th, 1995, at a Louisiana alligator farm. Albino from birth, Claude was, in a sense, lucky to be born on a farm. Due to their poor eyesight and standout coloring, albino alligators do not survive long in the wild. At some point in his early life, Claude was moved to a zoo in Florida, where he spent his first 13 years. Already a gem then, Claude was one of fewer than 200 albino alligators in the world. The year 2008 marked Claude’s foray into public life when he was transferred to the California Academy of Sciences.
He soon became one of the museum’s standout attractions and a treasured symbol of the city. Compared to other alligators, even those living in captivity, Claude lived a life of luxury. He was graced with considerable enrichment in his enclosure and top-of-the-line veterinary care. Claude was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans every day. His profile became so prominent that he appeared in city light rail ads and even made a cameo in a children’s book. The Academy of Sciences launched a 24/7 livestream of his enclosure earlier this year. Luckily, Claude was able to ring in his 30th birthday in September, complete with festivities, speeches, and a custom alligator cake made of fish and ice.
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