Back in the summer of 1968, during Camp TImberlane’s family post-camp; a circus came to Minocqua. In one of the many cages was a female ape who had just given birth. After the circus had packed up and was ready to leave, a tremendous thunderstorm started. The storm lasted two days, and after it was over the cage with the mother and child ape was found to be broken. A search for the missing apes was started immediately; and soon after the mother ape was captured, but the baby remained at large.

Two years later, in 1970, TImberlane once again held it’s summer camp. One night the people staying in Sioux cabin were awakened by a loud pounding on one of the windows. When the lights were turned on, everyone looked outside and saw a large ape! The ape was about ten feet tall, and had a 200 inch chest. The light of the cabin scared the ape into the woods; but the people were frightened that he might return, so they stayed awake in the cabin with the lights on the rest of the night. In the morning they told Harold of their experience. Hiken, as usual, came up with a plan. They would leave a large bowl of food out in the middle of the athletic field, and pour a ring of gasoline around it. When the ape came for the food, they would light the gasoline and have the ape trapped.

Just prior to nightfall, the bait was set out, the gasoline poured, and the people hid with matches in various places such as the rec hall, the trailers and the athletic shack. At about 9:30 the ape appeared and carefully approached the food. As soon as he entered the ring, the men came rushing out and formed a circle outside the ring of gasoline. They then lit two torches and ignited the ring of fire. The ape was confused, and just stood still. Now there was a ring of fire, and a circle of people with torches behind that. Suddenly, the ape, not knowing what else to do, ran straight at one part of the fire. The people got out of the way and watched as the ape’s fur caught fire. The ape did not stop running, and headed straight for the lake. He dove in and was never seen or heard from again.

Every now and then, a camper will come upon a piece of brown fur floating in the lake. Do not worry, as it’s been eight years since the ape was last seen. But that doesn’t mean he is not still around somewhere.