In the 1930s, the so-called “largest gorilla” in captivity was a lowland gorilla credited with saving Ringling Brothers circus from bankruptcy.
His name was Buddy, but he was later called “Gargantua.”
Ringling Bros. posters of him showed him in King Kong-like poses, with one describing him as the “world’s most terrifying living creature!” and “the largest and fiercest gorilla ever brought before the eyes of civilized man!”
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Born in 1929, he was captured as a baby in Africa in the Belgian Congo. He was given to a ship captain and became popular with most of his crew. But one drunk sailor threw acid on his face and almost blinded him, leaving him with physical scars and a distrust for people.
“Buddy hid himself refusing food, shrieking, and attacking anyone who came near. The sailors, at a loss for what to do, urged the captain the euthanize Buddy, but the captain knew a wealthy woman in Brooklyn who cared for sick animals and decided instead to bring Buddy to her,” said TheNonist.
The captain as a result gave Buddy to Gertrude Lintz, a wealthy eccentric. Apparently, Lintz dressed Buddy in clothes and drove around with him in the passenger seat of her car in Brooklyn, where she lived. In 1937, however, the 460-pound ape broke out of his cage and climbed into bed with her. Lintz then sold him to John Ringling for less than $10,000, renaming him “Gargantua” in the process.
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He had other monikers, including:
“The Largest Gorilla Ever Exhibited!”
“The !”
“The Largest and Fiercest Gorilla Ever Brought Before the Eyes of Civilised Man!”
“The Only Full-Grown Gorilla Ever Seen On This Continent!”
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