A necropsy has revealed the apparent cause of death of Claude, the beloved albino alligator and unofficial mascot of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

The museum said Wednesday that preliminary findings revealed that the alligator had liver cancer that was "extensive", evidence of liver failure, along with signs of systemic infection. Claude, who died Tuesday, was recently moved behind-the-scenes to undergo treatment for a suspected infection after his appetite began to wane.

"Treatment options were limited and likely would have had minimal success," the Academy of Sciences said in a statement .

The museum said it is often difficult to diagnose health issues in apex predators due to their propensity to hide illness and his behavior was normal until a few weeks befor

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