Claude, a rare albino alligator and the unofficial mascot of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, has died at age 30, the museum announced on Dec. 2.
The alligator, whose unique appearance and calm personality dazzled millions of visitors for nearly 20 years, had been under the care of a team in recent weeks due to waning appetite, according to the museum. He was recently moved from his swampy enclosure for treatment for a suspected infection.
Though Claude received intensive care from veterinarians and animal care teams, the museum said the "heartbreaking outcome is not what we hoped for." The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine will conduct a full exam and necropsy to determine the official cause of death.
"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," the museum said ina statement. "We know that the magnitude of this loss will be felt in proportion to how beloved Claude was by so many across the Bay Area and beyond."
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After moving to San Francisco in 2008, Claude became a local icon and was celebrated by fans worldwide. The museum said he regularly received fan mail, gifts, and artwork.
Claude, who was believed to be one of the oldest albino alligators in human care, celebrated his 30th birthday in September with monthlong festivities held at the museum, across San Francisco, and on social media, according to the museum. His birthday party, which was attended by thousands of visitors, including local officials and leaders, featured a "memorable chomp" of a cake made of fish and ice, the museum said.
The museum noted that it plans to hold a public memorial. In the meantime, the museum encouraged people to share memories of Claude and send messages to his caretakers by emailing claude@calacademy.org or writing to the California Academy of Sciences.
Claude served as an 'ambassador animal'
Claude, an American alligator, hatched on Sept. 15, 1995, on an alligator farm in Louisiana, according to the California Academy of Sciences. He was then transferred to a zoo in Florida as a "banana-sized baby" and received special care there for 13 years, the museum said.
He was famous for his appearance and gentle temperament. Claude had bright white scales and was nearly blind due to his albinism, a genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin in the body.
As the museum prepared to open in August 2008, it said Claude traveled for four days from Florida to move into a brand-new swamp exhibit. He officially made his debut at the museum on Sept. 27, 2008.
Claude initially was paired with Bonnie, a non-albino female alligator, according to the museum. "Bonnie and Claude weren't great partners in crime, so Bonnie was returned to Florida," the museum said.
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SFGATEand theSan Francisco Chroniclereported in 2009 that Claude's poor eyesight caused him to bump into Bonnie, and she bit off his toe. After Bonnie moved back to Florida, Claude resided and "peacefully" coexisted with three alligator snapping turtles named Morla, Donatella, and Raphael, according to the museum.
During his 17 years at the California Academy of Sciences, Claude was an educational "animal ambassador" and helped educate the public about his species and albinism, according to the museum.
He appeared in public ads, such as billboards, and his plush became a popular souvenir for museum visitors. Claude also inspired children's books, and in April of this year, the museum launched a livewebcam feedof Claude.
Albino alligators are extremely rare
There are fewer than 200 alligators with albinism in the world, the California Academy of Sciences said.
"The life of an albino alligator is filled with challenges from birth. In the wild, their survival rate is much lower than that of typical American alligators," according toWild Florida Adventure Park. "Their bright white skin makes it difficult to hide from predators. This also makes them more liable to dehydration and sunburn under the intense sun."
Wild Florida Adventure Park noted that albino alligators can "thrive" in protected environments, such as sanctuaries that "provide the necessary shade and water to keep their skin moist and away from predators." An American alligator can live up to 50 years old in the wild and up to 80 in captivity, according to theNational Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
While residing at the California Academy of Sciences, the museum said Claude was 10 feet in size and weighed 300 pounds. Though American alligators typically eat fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals in the wild, Claude ate about 1,500 grams of fish and 1,250 grams of rats weekly, according to the museum.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Claude, iconic albino alligator in San Francisco, dies at 30
