Gargantua (gorilla)

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Gargantua was a captive gorilla who became well-known because of his association with the Ringling Brothers circus. An acid scar on his face gave Gargantua a snarling, menacing expression, and the circus management attracted attention to him by emphasizing, in their publicity, his alleged hatred of humans. He was also claimed to be the largest gorilla in captivity.

Gargantua was captured as a baby in Africa, and was known as "Buddy" for years. After he was sold to Ringling Brothers, he was renamed after the literary character Gargantua for his large size (the literary Gargantua was a giant) and because the name sounded more frightening.

He had a "mate" named Toto, but apparently never showed any interest in her.[1]