"San Francisco loves its wild inhabitants. Coyotes climb our hills, cherry-headed conures lace our skies and sea lions moss our docks. Named after the patron saint of animals, the city opens its golden gate for the flocks. That's why the sudden death of Claude-the 30-year-old albino alligator who called the California Academy of Sciences home for the past 17 years-has left so many city dwellers in a state of mourning."
"On social media, grieving fans posted Claude-inspired creations - everything from watercolors to mooncakes. In a public statement, the California Academy mourned Claude's "quiet charisma" that "brought joy to millions of people at the museum and across the world." The museum's memorial post for Claude on Instagram surpassed 100,000 likes within a day. Commenters described Claude as an "icon" and a "legend" and demanded that a statue be erected in his honor."
""I was really struck by the number of people who felt this personal connection with him," said Emma Bland Smith, author of the 2020 children's book, Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator. "It has all the makings of a gripping, amazing Hollywood story," Smith said, of Claude's journey as a hatchling in a Louisiana swamp to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida to a life of comparative luxury in a swamp exhibit in the heart of San Francisco. "From rags to riches, he's been through so much.""
Claude, a 30-year-old albino alligator, died after 17 years at the California Academy of Sciences, prompting wide public mourning. Grieving fans created Claude-themed art ranging from watercolors to mooncakes. The museum described Claude as having "quiet charisma" that "brought joy to millions of people at the museum and across the world." The museum's Instagram memorial received over 100,000 likes in a day, with commenters calling Claude an "icon" and a "legend" and requesting a statue. Claude's life included a journey from a Louisiana hatchling to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida, and later to a San Francisco swamp exhibit.
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