Cancer doesn’t just affect us humans — the disease, too, remains one of the leading causes of death for animals, particularly reptiles.
The collective mourning over Claude, the albino alligator that served as the California Academy of Science’s unofficial mascot for over 17 years, is not measurable by traditional forms. The Bay Area girlies are, in fact, grieving like they haven’t in ages.
At 30 years old, Claude’s death surprised staff. American alligators commonly live well into their 50s in captivity, with some examples still basking past 70 years old; Claude was barely past middle age in crocodilian years.
A preliminary necropsy conducted by experts at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Steinhart Aquarium Senior Veterinarian Dr. Lana Krol showed that albino alligator Claude didn’t suffer from an infection, as was previously suspected, by rather, per an updated press release, had “extensive liver cancer” that caused possible liver failure; signs of a systemic infection were evident, but likely not the cause of death, rather a symptom of the cancer’s immune suppression.
(As we spoke about earlier, sharing news of Claude’s death, we noted that reptiles, especially crocodiles, often suppress illness as a means of survival. Cal Academy reiterated its behavior in an updated press release, noting it’s “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.” The science center shared that concern for Claude’s health rose substantially after staff noted his skin’s color and texture had changed, signaling his decline in health; it was this change that immediately prompted his care team to remove him from the public exhibit and place him behind doors.)
Cal Academy has been overwhelmed by “the waves of compassionate support flowing in from the Bay Area and around the globe,” the alligator appearing in news reels on mainstream networks and legacy publications; mentions of “Claude” now number in the hundreds of thousands across Meta products, X, and TikTok.
“This remarkable reptile was clearly a cultural icon who inspired millions of people, among them a generation of children and youth who grew up alongside him,” reads the press release. “Claude will be deeply missed, and we remain committed to carrying on his vital work of connecting people with nature.”
The museum plans to hold a public memorial soon — details are still TBD — and is encouraging fans of his to share their memories of Claude by emailing claude@calacademy.org or by physical mail sent to California Academy of Sciences, Attn: Digital Engagement, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.
