Summary
San Francisco recently held a memorial for a well-loved albino alligator named Claude, who passed away in December. Claude lived at the California Academy of Sciences and connected with many people due to his unique appearance and history.
Key Facts
- Claude was an albino alligator, meaning he had white skin and pink eyes, which is rare.
- He lived at the California Academy of Sciences for 17 years before his death from liver cancer at the age of 30.
- A large farewell event in San Francisco included a brass band, a special bread in his shape, and a street named after him.
- Claude became famous for swallowing a child's ballet shoe, which was later safely removed by vets.
- In his lifetime, Claude interacted with over 22 million visitors to the academy.
- The academy has received many messages of support and stories from fans, showing the impact Claude had on people.
- Claude was known for showing acceptance and uniqueness, which resonated with the ideals of the San Francisco community.
