SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A rare albino alligator named Claude who was beloved by fans around the world died Tuesday, according to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He was 30.
The science museum in Golden Gate Park is popular with Bay Area school children and international tourists, and many kids over the years have ended their visits clutching a mini Claude stuffed animal to take home. As an unofficial mascot of the museum and the city, Claude appeared in a children's book and in ads at bus and light-rail stations.
The alligator icon had a “quiet charisma” that captivated hearts in his 17 years in San Francisco, the museum said in a statement. It has also said there are fewer than 200 albino alligators in the world.
“Claude showed us the power of ambassador animals to connect people to nature and stoke curiosity to learn more about the world around us," it said.
Claude hatched in 1995 at an alligator farm in Louisiana, and came to live at the Academy in 2008. He was born with albinism, a genetic mutation that made him appear white. His eyes looked pinkish-red because of blood vessels that were visible through his clear irises.
Albino alligators do not survive for long in the wild, but American alligators can live up to 70 in captivity. The museum rang in Claude's 30th birthday in September with festivities, speeches and a special alligator birthday cake made of fish and ice.
Claude, who was 10 feet (3 meters) and 300 pounds (136 kilograms), recently underwent treatment for a suspected infection after showing signs of a reduced appetite. The University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine will exam Claude to learn of a possible cause of death.
The museum will hold a public memorial for Claude but for now, people can share memories of Claude and send messages to his human care team at the California Academy of Sciences.
FILE - Claude, an albino alligator, is shown at the California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Claude, an albino alligator, is shown at the California Academy of Sciences, in San Francisco, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
DENVER (AP) — Marcus Pettersson scored with 5:39 remaining, Brock Boeser had a hat trick and the last-place Vancouver Canucks blew a four-goal lead before beating the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche 8-6 on Wednesday night.
The Canucks, who entered the game 58 points behind the Avalanche, scored in all sorts of ways, including 29 seconds into the game, short-handed, on the power play and into an empty net to snap a six-game slide.
They led 6-2 in the second only to see Colorado tie it up with 6:02 left. Just 23 seconds later, Pettersson knocked in his first goal since November. Boeser sealed it by lining the puck down the ice and into an empty net.
Teddy Blueger scored twice, while Max Sasson and Jake DeBrusk also added goals to spoil a night in which Nathan MacKinnon became the first player this season to reach 50 goals. Vancouver took advantage of the Avalanche juggling their defensive pairings with Cale Makar sidelined by an upper-body injury.
Kevin Lankinen made 24 saves.
Sam Malinski scored twice, while Gabriel Landeskog, Parker Kelly and Brent Burns also scored. MacKinnon notched his second 50-goal campaign of his career with his score early in the first.
Colorado goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled with 4:39 left in the second after allowing six goals on 19 shots. Scott Wedgewood stopped five shots in relief.
The Avalanche were rolling after a 9-2 win over Calgary on Monday.
Before fans had a chance to settle into their seats, the Canucks were up 1-0. Sasson's goal 29 seconds into the game was the fastest by the Canucks since Oct. 22, 2024 (21 seconds).
Burns had a goal and an assist as he played in his 999th straight game. The all-time Ironman streak belongs to Phil Kessel, who skated in 1,064 consecutive games.
Canucks: At Minnesota on Thursday.
Avalanche: At Dallas on Saturday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger, front, scores a goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon reacts after scoring his 50th goal of the season in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser, left, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Vancouver Canucks center Linus Karlsson, left, congratulates center Max Sasson after his goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
