January 18th will see crowds gather inside Golden Gate Park to pay their respects to San Francisco’s famous, most beloved reptile, Claude.
Claude’s sudden passing took San Francisco (and the nation … and the world) by surprise. At just over 30 years old, Claude, the all-white albino American alligator at San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences, was a tentpole of the city. For 17 years, he called the aforementioned science center home, acting as its unofficial mascot and foremost reptile ambassador. Claude silently battled with digestive cancer, which later caused secondary infections throughout his body, for sometime — years, perhaps — before his untimely passing on December 2nd after becoming lethargic and visibly ill.
Notes, paintings, postcards, and other physical homages to Claude have poured into Cal Academy in the wake of his passing; hundreds of thousands, if not millions of comments and posts across social media have proliferated the internet, making Claude a household name in far-flung zip codes and an international talking point.
Now, those looking to pay their IRL respects for the beloved gator will have a chance to do so next month when Cal Academy hosts its outdoor memorial service for Claude.
“Join us for a free community celebration on January 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Golden Gate Park,” reads a post on Instagram from Cal Academy, announcing the memorial service, which it hinted at earlier this month.
The event, which will be free to attend and fit for all ages, will include “stories, speeches, performances, and activities for Claude fans” that pay homage to his life and legacy.
Claude’s celebration of life will continue on inside the Cal Academy, featuring a smattering of “special programming, craft activities, and an artisan marketplace.” Those looking to snag some commemorative Claude souvenirs will have the chance to do so from local vendors; indoor attendees will also be treated to a gallery and presented with artworks of Claude created by fans of his.
“Claude was a powerful ambassador for science, connecting millions with nature, with curiosity, and with each other,” continues the post. “ We’re honored to celebrate his remarkable life with our community. See you there!”
Cal Academy shared that the outdoor part of the memorial will also be streamed online; while the Golden Gate Park portion of the service is free to attend, those looking to continue the mourning indoors must purchase admission tickets or a membership; click here for information on the event, including how ot become a Cal Academy member.
