12/02/2025
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude was an iconic Academy resident who many visitors formed deep connections with during his 17 year tenure. 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. Claude showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature and stoke curiosity to learn more about the world around us.
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. Claude was celebrated as the unofficial mascot of the Academy and San Francisco itself, and regularly received fan mail, gifts, and artwork from adoring fans around the world. In September many of you helped us celebrate his 30th birthday with monthlong festivities that highlighted his impact in the museum, across the city, and on social media. We know how much Claude meant to so many of you, and that love means so much to us.
Claude’s dedicated care team had been monitoring him closely in recent weeks due to a waning appetite, and he was recently moved behind-the-scenes to undergo treatment for a suspected infection. He received the best possible care from the Steinhart Aquarium veterinarian and animal care teams. This heartbreaking outcome is not what we hoped for. A full exam and necropsy, to be conducted at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, will yield more information about the cause of death.
We plan to hold a public memorial in the near future (details to come), but in the meantime we encourage you to share your memories of Claude and messages for his dedicated animal care team by email at [email protected] or by post to California Academy of Sciences, Attn: Digital Engagement, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.
Please join us in sending heartfelt thanks and condolences to the extraordinary team of animal care specialists and veterinarians who provided the best care for Claude every day. And thank you for loving Claude so fiercely over the years. We will miss him dearly.
UPDATE 12/3: Preliminary findings from the necropsy performed by experts at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Steinhart Aquarium Senior Veterinarian Dr. Lana Krol revealed that Claude had extensive liver cancer with evidence of liver failure, as well as signs of systemic infection. Treatment options were limited and likely would have had minimal success. It is often difficult to diagnose health issues in apex predators due to their propensity to hide illness, and Claude’s behavior was normal until just a few weeks before his death. A change in the color and texture of Claude's skin was the clearest sign of his declining health, and prompted immediate action by his care team.
