Alfred the Gorilla
Alfred died on 10 March 1948. The press at the time speculated that ‘his pet hate got him in the end’, linking Alfred's dislike of aeroplanes with the passage of one over the zoo shortly before his death. The actual cause of his demise was tuberculosis which he contracted a year before and despite his keepers best efforts, he had been unable to recover. His death was mourned by many of the regular visitors to the zoo, some of whom were even inspired to compose poems in his honour.
Alfred John Stephenson
Alfred John Stephenson died on Friday 4 December 1914 at his home "Chermside", Roderick Street, Ipswich. His funeral service was held on Sunday 6 December 1915 at the Old Ipswich Town Hall followed by a large funeral procession to the Ipswich General Cemetery where he was buried with masonic rites. As a mark of respect, the Queensland Legislative Council adjourned their sitting on that day.