ST. LOUIS — Some residents may recall Phil the Gorilla, who arrived at the Saint Louis Zoo on September 9, 1941, as a 25-pound toddler and lived there until he died on December 1, 1958.
Over 80 years have passed since Phil first called the Saint Louis Zoo home, and during this time, significant changes have been made to the gorilla habitats to better meet their needs. Those who remember Phil from earlier years may remember the iconic ape house that was part of the zoo when he lived there.
According to the 2009 book “Animals Always: 100 Years at the Saint Louis Zoo,” Phil had a man-made tree and an automobile tire in the Ape House that he would climb and play on.
Constructed in 1939, the structure lacked public indoor space, requiring visitors to observe Phil through glass walls from the outside. When the weather permitted, the walls were raised, leaving only bars between the public and Phil.
During these moments, Phil would engage in one of his most memorable antics—splashing water from his pool onto unsuspecting visitors.
His diet consisted of fruits, vegetables, and sweet soda. He likely weighed over 775 pounds when before he died. As reported by The Post Dispatch, Phil died due to an intestinal parasite that led to a loss of appetite. In 1975, zoologist David Willoughby estimated Phil’s weight using his bones and found it to be 550 pounds.
The Post Dispatch also noted that Phil’s body was preserved through taxidermy. Today, visitors can view Phil at the Education Department’s Exploration Outpost, an educational classroom area for Zoo education programs and Camp KangaZoo, available by appointment.
Phil was named after animal collector Phil Carroll, who brought him to the Saint Louis Zoo from the jungles of French Equatorial Africa, now known as Cameroon. Phil remains the largest gorilla on record.
