White alligator at New Orleans Audubon Aquarium of the Americas has died

Publish date: 2024-10-03

A striking rare white alligator by the name of Spots has died at the New Orleans aquarium where he lived for most of his life.

The 28-year-old alligator had leucism, a rare genetic condition that affects the color pigmentation of animals and results in white or pale skin. 

There are thought to be less than 15 alligators to have the condition out of the 5 million in the US, according to the Audubon Nature Institute. 

A striking rare white alligator by the name of Spots has died at the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans, where he lived for most of his life

A striking rare white alligator by the name of Spots has died at the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans, where he lived for most of his life

The 28-year-old alligator had leucism, a rare genetic condition that affects to color pigmentation of animals and results in white or skin

The 28-year-old alligator had leucism, a rare genetic condition that affects to color pigmentation of animals and results in white or skin

Spots was brought to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas when it opened in 1990.

Just four years earlier, the alligator was one of seventeen hatchlings recovered from a swamp by the Louisiana Land and Exploration company and brought to the Audubon Zoo, according to WWL-TV. 

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Due to his white skin, Spots was especially vulnerable to both the sun and predators. 

Rich Toth, the managing director for Audubon Aquarium, said Spots chances of survival in the wild were 'practically impossible'. 

'We're proud to have cared for him for more than 28 years,' he said. 

Spots (pictured here in his younger years) was brought to the Audubon Aquarium when it opened in 1990. Just four years earlier, the alligator was recovered from a swamp and brought to the Audubon Zoo

Spots (pictured here in his younger years) was brought to the Audubon Aquarium when it opened in 1990. Just four years earlier, the alligator was recovered from a swamp and brought to the Audubon Zoo

There are thought to be less than 15 alligators to have Spots' condition out of the 5 million in the US, according to the Audubon Nature Institute

There are thought to be less than 15 alligators to have Spots' condition out of the 5 million in the US, according to the Audubon Nature Institute

'We have been fortunate to be able to experience the wonder of such a rare and beautiful animal.' 

The aquarium's veterinary team will be performing a necropsy to determine Spots' cause of death. 

A number of people took to the aquarium's Facebook to express their sadness regarding the news of Spots' passing, and to share photos of their children smiling with the gator through the years. 

'So sorry to hear about the loss of Spots,' wrote a user named Ann. 'He really was beautiful to watch.'

'So many of us have watched Spots grow over the years,' wrote Arden. 'He will be missed.' 

'My favorite place to work as a volunteer was...in front of Spots' tank,' wrote Christine. 

'So many people didn't believe he was real.'   

A number of people took to the aquarium's Facebook to express their sadness regarding the news of Spots' passing, and to share photos of their children smiling with the gator through the years

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