[Columbia, SC] - A rare white alligator being held by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources has died from what appears to be a significant intestinal infection. In 2003, the alligator was seized by wildlife officials from three men in Beaufort County and was brought to Riverbanks to be held as evidence for a trial.

“Throughout the past few weeks our veterinary staff has administered antibiotics to the white alligator. We were optimistic that he would survive and continue as he originally did while on exhibit with the other juvenile alligators,” said Satch Krantz, executive director for Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

A white alligator differs from a normal American alligator in that his skin is white. The white skin, in this case, is a result of being a leucistic alligator, a condition easily confused with being albino. Albino alligators typically have light pink skin with pink eyes. Leucistic alligators have white skin as opposed to a lack of pigment and as a result, have normal colored eyes.

“Leucistic alligators and albino alligators are rarely found in the wild. Typically, other health issues are apparent or they are captured by predators due to their lack of camouflage coloration,” said Scott Pfaff, curator of herpetology at Riverbanks.

Visitors enjoyed watching the white alligator bask on rocks, swim and interact with the four additional juvenile alligators that were on exhibit with him in the Tropical Gallery at the Aquarium Retile Complex. SCE&G’s ZooView webcam featured the rare white alligator throughout the month of July.

Final histopathology is pending and the results will be available in several weeks. For additional information regarding the death of the white alligator please contact Keith Benson at 803.779.8717, x1105.